Unrelated to the Perpetrator but Called 'Inha Daebang'... Inha University Requests "Please Do Not Use"

Deepfake Crime Report Uses 'Inhadabam' Expression
Inha University "Unaffiliated with Perpetrator, Concerned About Secondary Damage"

Inha University campus view [Photo by Inha University]

Inha University expressed dissatisfaction regarding the mention of the university's name in connection with a sexual crime that occurred in a group chatroom with 1,000 university students.

On the 20th, Inha University released a statement to the media titled "Clarification from Inha University." The university first stated, "The deepfake sexual crime reported in the media was not operated by current students or alumni of our university," adding, "Therefore, the term 'Inha University chatroom' is inappropriate." It continued, "The individuals confirmed as perpetrators so far have no connection to our university," and requested caution so that the approximately 1,000 participants in the chatroom are not misunderstood as university students or Inha University students. Furthermore, it asked for special attention to prevent additional secondary damage, as some victims of this deepfake incident are current students and alumni of the university.

Inha University also explained the background of the incident. According to the statement, the Inha University Human Rights Center inquired about the online sexual crime reporting and handling procedures with the 'Digital Sexual Crime Prevention Center' on February 20 and reported the relevant chatroom. Support from external organizations was provided to victims identified as alumni, and measures were taken to allow victims to contact the Human Rights Center if further assistance was needed. On July 29, a victim identified additional current students affected and requested further action from the Incheon Police Cyber Sexual Crime Investigation Unit.

Inha University stated, "We will continue to accept damage reports from students harmed in deepfake group chatrooms on Telegram and provide psychological counseling connections," adding, "We will also provide legal support to prevent secondary damage such as online malicious comments and do our best to protect the affected students."

The Incheon Police Cyber Crime Investigation Unit said that they are investigating Mr. A, the operator of the Telegram group chatroom, on charges of violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes. The police have currently identified four victims, some of whom are known to be current students of Inha University. They are suspected of sharing deepfake photos that combined victims' faces with nude images in the Telegram group chatroom since 2020. In addition to the synthesized photos through deepfake, personal information such as victims' contact details was also shared in the chatroom, and some victims were threatened.

After receiving victim reports last year and starting an investigation, the police arrested one Telegram participant who redistributed the victim videos in March and sent them to the prosecution in custody.