Concerns Over 'Deepfake' Damage Met With Mockery: "Don't Worry, They Only Pick Pretty People"

'Public Outrage' Over Some Netizens' Mocking and Insulting Comments

As numerous cases of 'deepfake porn' created by synthesizing photos of acquaintances or social network service (SNS) users have been discovered, some netizens have posted comments mocking the victims, sparking public outrage. On the 27th, on SNS platforms such as X, netizen A reported, "There are posts by middle school students saying deepfakes are no big deal." A captured comments from some middle school users on an online community were posted by A.

Mocking and secondary victimization comments posted by X users. [Image source=Captured from X]

Looking at the images, they left mocking responses toward the victims such as "People are making a fuss over just one deepfake," "People who make deepfakes probably only pick pretty people (to synthesize)," and "Don't worry, they won't commit sexual assault." Secondary victimization comments insulting and verbally abusing the victims were also detected. One middle school student claimed, "From today, I will collect photos of girls who post selfies and make deepfakes," while another wrote, "Those who make deepfakes are just XXXs with delusions or excessive self-consciousness."

Amid a surge in cases of 'deepfake pornography' created by synthesizing photos of acquaintances or social network service (SNS) users, some netizens have been posting comments mocking the victims, sparking public outrage.
[Image source=Getty Images]

Earlier the day before, a public account on X posted a list of universities where deepfake porn was being distributed through Telegram chat rooms. Participants in the Telegram chat rooms identified by this account are reportedly sharing photos of acquaintances including friends from the same room, teachers, and even relatives for pornographic production. As the post spread online, anxiety grew among netizens, with some fearing, "Could I also be a target of deepfake synthesis?" To prevent victimization, some female netizens reportedly deleted their profile pictures posted on SNS.

Amid the growing controversy, the Korea Communications Standards Commission convened a meeting of department heads on the 27th to begin preparing countermeasures related to the spread of deepfake porn. On the 28th, a full meeting will be held to finalize the discussed measures. The Commission plans to first establish a dedicated banner for reporting deepfake porn damage on its official website and double the number of monitoring personnel to watch the situation in real time. Additionally, they plan to open a 'hotline' for immediate consultation with Telegram to swiftly block the spread of damage.