Women in China Call for Action Over Exploitative Content on Telegram Channels

When Macau resident Ms Lin discovered the MaskPark Telegram channel — where tens of thousands of men shared exploitative images of Chinese women without their consent — she felt a deep sense of urgency. The channel, which gained international attention, remained largely unaddressed in China, where state media and authorities seemed indifferent. The situation has prompted many women to take matters into their own hands.

Ms Lin, who chose to share her story with the ABC, described the disturbing content she encountered. "I have many videos on my phone that could serve as evidence, but they are too explicit to be seen," she said. "One clip shows women being secretly filmed in shopping mall restrooms. It’s creepy and disgusting."

The Telegram app, which allows encrypted and self-destructing messages, has become a haven for such content. Despite being banned in mainland China, users can still access it through VPNs. The MaskPark channel reportedly had over 100,000 subscribers, with content filmed in public places like underground trains, fitting rooms, and even ultrasound rooms in hospitals. Some of the material was shared by people who had intimate relationships with the victims.

Victims’ personal information, including full names, ID numbers, and home addresses, was also shared on these channels. Some users even offered surveillance equipment like hidden cameras for sale. Other Telegram sub-forums targeting Chinese-speaking users had as many as 900,000 members, according to reports.

Professor Wang Pan, a scholar of Chinese social media and pop culture at the University of New South Wales, noted that the victims were mostly everyday women. "Their bodies and privacy were used as satisfaction for male desires and tools for profit," she said. She emphasized the need for the Chinese government to find ways to trace anonymous users, even if they are from overseas platforms.

Many women are frustrated with the lack of action from Chinese authorities. Some have turned to international platforms like RedNote, hoping to raise awareness. However, even these efforts are met with resistance. Posts about the issue are often censored or deleted, leaving women feeling powerless.

"If we can’t even share such information, is there any point for this platform to exist?" Ms Lin asked. "I just cannot believe it. I don’t know if [the government of] this country doesn’t know about this or doesn’t care, or — for whatever reason — doesn’t want the issue to get any public attention."

Despite the challenges, women are not giving up. They continue to speak out, hoping their voices will be heard. As one victim said, "Victims need to continue to speak out … [their] firsthand accounts, and clues from the information they provide are likely to lead to the perpetrators, so their voices must not be silenced."

Experts also advise victims to keep evidence of foreign web pages, take clear screenshots, and report the content to authorities. However, the process of cross-border prosecution remains complex, with legal hurdles and international cooperation often required.

As the fight against exploitative content continues, one thing is clear: the voices of these women are not being silenced — they are demanding action.