A new study by AI Forensics has uncovered a concerning trend: thousands of men are using Telegram groups to buy and sell hacking tools, targeting friends, wives, and former partners. The findings highlight the dark side of online communities, where abusive content, nonconsensual images, and surveillance services are openly traded.

Over six weeks, researchers analyzed nearly 2.8 million messages from 16 Italian and Spanish Telegram groups, identifying more than 24,000 members who posted over 82,723 images, videos, and audio files. These posts often targeted women known to the perpetrators, exposing a disturbing reality where ordinary people can become victims of abuse.

The research suggests that while platforms like Telegram claim stringent policies against such content, the sheer volume indicates significant loopholes or inadequate enforcement. With over 1 billion monthly active users, according to Pavel Durov, Telegram’s founder, stricter regulations may be necessary to protect users from harassment and exploitation.

Silvia Semenzin, a researcher at AI Forensics, emphasizes that most victims are unaware of the sharing and manipulation of their personal information. She calls for increased scrutiny and regulation, pointing out that the company should be classified as a ‘very large online platform’ under Europe’s online safety rules.

The article also highlights the prevalence of nonconsensual images and deepfake pornography on Telegram, with specific services offered to gain access to phone galleries and extract photos. The ease with which such tools are advertised and traded raises serious concerns about privacy and security in our increasingly connected world.