(TW: Child sexual abuse, sexual violence)

While profoundly disappointing, the re-emergence of new Telegram groups sharing non-consensually obtained explicit images of women and girls is sadly not shocking. 

We have seen groups similar to SG Nasi Lemak surface over the years, with many channels being created on encrypted messaging platforms, which are currently not covered by the Online Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act. 

These groups continue to adapt to and evade legal restrictions by moving channels or platforms, leaving many victim-survivors without recourse, with the illicit content remaining digitally preserved.

The anonymity provided by various digital platforms will continue to allow perpetrators to establish perverse social networks in which women’s privacy and dignity are violated, often without their knowledge. In this case, perpetrators further profit off the non-consensual commodification and circulation, with members being charged a “joining fee” before being allowed to access the channels. 

The other troubling aspects here are the implication of minors in such explicit content and the indication that these images were obtained via spy cameras installed in public places. The alleged promise of “new content” by group administrators could hint at the continued existence of such spy cams or the installation of new ones. The unknown pervasiveness of these devices is a worrying matter that needs to be looked into. 

We hope the scope of the Act can be expanded to include such messaging apps to strengthen protection from online harms in all user-to-user interactions by placing a duty on them to address the reports they receive. 

Doing so would also ensure that apps are required to make transparent their report-handling processes and mechanisms. Additionally, we hope the Act will mandate a rapid investigation, especially when sexual violence is involved, to deactivate such groups more efficiently and potentially limit content sharing.