Telegram has issued a formal apology following criticism over its handling of deepfake porn material that was widely shared on the platform. The incident has raised serious concerns about the app’s ability to manage harmful content and protect its users.
The issue came to light after numerous reports surfaced of deepfake videos being circulated on Telegram, often involving individuals who had not consented to having their likeness used in such a way. Users and advocacy groups were quick to criticize Telegram for its slow response, accusing the platform of neglecting its duty to safeguard user privacy.
In its apology, Telegram admitted that it had not acted swiftly enough to remove the offending content and pledged to take more robust steps to prevent similar situations in the future. The company outlined plans to improve its content moderation system and offer better support to victims of deepfake abuse.
Despite the apology, many users remain dissatisfied, arguing that Telegram’s delayed response caused unnecessary harm to those affected. The incident has also prompted calls for stricter regulations to hold tech companies accountable for the content shared on their platforms, especially in cases involving non-consensual explicit material.
