A vast network of Chinese-language Telegram chat groups has been exposed for sharing and trading secretly filmed intimate images of women and girls, often uploaded by people they know. Despite public outrage, authorities have so far remained silent.
The chats form part of a shadowy ecosystem known in Chinese as “toupai chumai”, literally “secretly filming and selling,” also described as “secret filming betrayal.”
What is “toupai chumai”
It is the widespread and illegal underground trade in China involving the non-consensual recording and sale of intimate images and videos of women and girls, filmed in both private and public spaces.
The content is typically captured using hidden cameras or mobile phones, placed in locations such as hotels, public restrooms, changing rooms and, in some cases, private homes. The footage is then circulated or sold online without the knowledge or consent of the women involved, frequently for profit.
These recordings are traded on encrypted platforms such as Telegram, where large, anonymous groups distribute the material, often for profit.
According to investigations by The New York Times, the practice has exposed how easily women’s privacy can be violated, even by people they know, and how difficult it has been for victims and activists to seek accountability.
One academic told NYT that the scandal has revealed a disturbing truth: women are not safe even in private spaces, relationships or homes, and those trying to expose the abuse face silence instead of support.
What are these Telegram chats
According to a New York Times investigation, dozens of Chinese-language groups on Telegram are actively used to share non-consensual photos and videos of women and girls. Some groups have tens of thousands of members, with content ranging from covert recordings in public bathrooms and fitting rooms to intimate footage filmed inside homes.
CNN has earlier reported on one such channel, known as “Mask Park Treehole Forum,” which at its peak had more than 100,000 subscribers. In that channel, members posted intimate images of their wives, girlfriends, ex-partners, relatives, and in some cases, minors, often accompanied by degrading commentary.
In both investigations, perpetrators were frequently people personally connected to the victims.
How does the trade operate
The New York Times investigation found that:
- Footage is often captured using hidden cameras or mobile phones, sometimes disguised in everyday objects.
- Content is shared in anonymous Telegram groups, many of which charge for access to private “VIP” channels.
- Payments are processed through Chinese digital payment platforms such as Alipay and WeChat Pay, as well as cryptocurrency.
Telegram is blocked in China but widely accessed using VPNs, allowing users to operate beyond domestic internet controls.
Why is Telegram central to this
Telegram’s features, including large group sizes, anonymity, encryption and limited oversight, have made it a hub for illicit activity worldwide. The NYT noted that even when groups are shut down, new ones quickly reappear under different names.
Telegram has said it bans non-consensual sexual content, but enforcement remains inconsistent.
Why hasn’t China cracked down
The lack of visible enforcement has drawn particular scrutiny. China is known for its extensive digital surveillance and ability to track users, even on overseas platforms.
Despite the scale of the abuse, there has been no visible official response. Authorities have not announced any public investigations, and government agencies have stopped short of condemning the groups involved.
Activists and whistleblowers attempting to expose the networks say they have faced intimidation, including threats, doxxing attempts and temporary account suspensions, further chilling efforts to push for accountability.
Legal experts cited by the NYT note that while distributing pornography for profit is a crime in China, secret filming itself is often treated as a minor offence, making prosecution difficult.
Globally, the non-consensual sharing of intimate images is recognised by the United Nations as a form of digital violence against women, prompting legal reforms in countries such as South Korea, where a similar Telegram scandal, the Nth Room case, led to arrests, protests and strict laws. In China, campaigners fear such accountability may not follow.
