A screenshot of the SG Nasi Lemak group chat sharing obscene materials.
Credit Source: Julaila Latiff
Encrypted data could be causing trouble in Telegram group chats in Singapore. Since Oct 4, 2019, three Telegram group chats have been under police investigations for circulating revenge porn and promoting immoral activities.
According to Kang, an Information and Communications Technology lecturer from Murdoch University, data encryption is taking a message and changing it into something no one else will understand other than the sender and the receiver. Therefore, it will be difficult for officials to find the source of the illegal materials as the process to decipher the date encryption takes a long time and will use a lot of resources. Without whistle-blowers or hackers, data encryption ensures users that there will be no others looking into their conversation.
“I will say somehow data encryption will contribute to the offender’s thoughts because they know that they cannot be caught so easily (sic),” said Mr Kang.
Telegram is known as a messaging app that is fast and secure as it allows user-anonymity through username-based contacts instead of phone numbers. The app also maintains the privacy of the users by using data encryption.
Although Telegram’s Terms of Service states that users are not allowed to post illegal pornography on public Telegram group chats, the app’s FAQ has stated otherwise. Currently, Telegram does not process any requests related to taking down chats or group chats, as these are private amongst the participants.
Other than posting illegal pornography, these groups also tend to screenshot pictures of girls from social media and sexualise them openly in the group. Darcel, 19, student, felt angry at the person who posted her picture in the SG Nasi Lemak group chat. She questions why the group is still available online.
“Telegram should not advocate anything of this sort. By staying neutral, they are supporting groups like these,” she said.
Right now, only four out of over 44,000 participants from the infamous SG Nasi Lemak group chat are arrested for the possession of obscene materials on their electronic devices. The group is still running using another name.
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