HYBE Collaborates With Police to Arrest Deepfake Offenders Targeting Artists
In a increasingly worrying situation of AI content threatening the well-being of their artists. HYBE is aiming to protect their artists. Credit to HYBE Entertainment.
Los Angeles, California (April 10, 2025)- In a major move to protect its artists and combat the growing threat of AI-generated content abuse, HYBE, the South Korean global entertainment powerhouse, has teamed up with Korea’s Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency (NGPPA) to crack down on deepfake crimes. Billboard has confirmed that eight individuals have been arrested on suspicion of creating and distributing deepfake videos featuring HYBE Music Group artists.
Deepfakes — artificially generated or manipulated videos, images, or audio — have become an increasingly alarming issue in the entertainment industry. They not only violate the privacy and image rights of individuals but can also significantly impact their mental health, safety, and professional reputation.
The arrests stem from an investigation launched after a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between HYBE and NGPPA in February 2024. The partnership was designed to proactively address cybercrimes targeting artists and to establish a structured response system.
HYBE played a pivotal role in the investigation by supplying the police with key information that led to the identification and apprehension of the suspects. In addition to the company’s efforts, fans also played a crucial part by reporting incidents through the HYBE Artist Rights Violation Report Center, demonstrating a powerful example of collective action between the industry and the public.
“HYBE will respond firmly to crimes that infringe on our artists’ portrait rights and reputations, based on a zero-tolerance and no-settlement policy,” said Jason Jaesang Lee, CEO of HYBE. “We will continue to monitor and take legal action to eradicate such serious crimes.”
NGPPA district chief Ho-seung Kim echoed the gravity of the situation, stressing the rise of deepfake crimes targeting public figures who often face difficulties in reporting such violations. “Deepfake is a serious type of crime that can destroy the daily lives of victims, and crimes targeting public figures are no exception,” he stated, reaffirming the agency's commitment to ongoing investigations.
As of now, neither HYBE nor the authorities have disclosed the identities of the suspects or which specific artists were affected. However, the strong stance taken by the company sends a clear message: digital crimes against its talent will not be tolerated.
With AI-generated content increasingly blurring the line between reality and fabrication, HYBE’s proactive approach, combined with law enforcement collaboration and fan vigilance, sets a new precedent in artist protection within the entertainment industry.
