[Reporter’s Notebook] The Lonely Battle Against Deepfakes

The entertainment industry views the recent deepfake incident with a unique perspective. Since a significant portion of deepfake videos target celebrities, the issue is inevitably sensitive. A related industry insider recently met with us and expressed relief, saying, "We have been plagued by deepfakes for a long time, so it is fortunate that our society has finally become aware of the seriousness of the issue, even if belatedly."

Reflecting on the words of this industry professional is no exaggeration, as the entertainment sector has been engaged in a solitary battle against deepfakes for quite some time.

Celebrities, who attract high public attention, are prime targets for deepfakes, but the methods companies can use to respond have been limited. The damage caused by deepfakes to the entertainment industry is greater than expected. According to the recent "2023 Deepfake Status" report released by the U.S. cybersecurity firm Security Hero, 53% of individuals appearing in deepfake sexual exploitation materials are Korean, and most victims are entertainers such as singers and actors. This analysis was based on 95,820 videos uploaded across 10 deepfake pornography sites and 85 video-sharing platforms including YouTube.

Before the Telegram deepfake incident broke out, companies had to resolve crimes on their own. Establishing monitoring systems and filing lawsuits required related personnel and budgets amounting to hundreds of millions of won annually per company. Given the nature of the entertainment industry, which grows through public popularity and recognition, this was a considerable burden. However, not only was full legal protection unattainable, but technical blocking was also nearly impossible.

Since the Telegram incident, the political sphere and government have stepped up to take measures to prevent deepfake crimes, marking a dramatic change from the entertainment industry's perspective. While it is crucial to establish practical measures such as punishing perpetrators and deleting videos, the industry welcomes the recent shift in social awareness even more. This is likely due to the relief that they no longer have to fight this battle alone.

Artists themselves are brands and economic assets. They are the driving force behind Korean popular culture, represented by "K-pop" and "K-drama." Deepfake videos created by manipulating their faces and voices cause not only simple defamation but also brand value decline, contract cancellations, and psychological harm.

Preventing deepfake crimes is an urgent task that can no longer be postponed. However, this issue cannot be resolved by simple legal punishment alone. As technology advances rapidly, the methods of crime are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Social awareness is paramount in preventing deepfake crimes. Only with attention can practical responses such as technological development and institutional reinforcement be possible. An atmosphere conducive to eradicating deepfakes has been established. Creating laws and systems alone will not solve all problems. The industry must also take advantage of this rare opportunity. It is necessary to explore various ways to prevent deepfake crimes.