(China, 24th) – A case similar to South Korea’s “Nth Room” has emerged in China, where a large number of women’s private photos and videos have been distributed in a Telegram channel called “Mask Park.” A Chinese woman in her 20s, Ms. D (pseudonym), received a message from a stranger: “Do you know your video has been leaked?” That’s when she learned her ex-boyfriend had shared her private photos and videos in a Telegram channel called “Mask Park.”
The channel has more than 100,000 subscribers, filled with images and videos of women shared without consent and derogatory comments, even implicating minors and abusers’ family members.
Earlier in July, media reported that China was rocked by a recent “Nth Room” incident. The Telegram group “MaskPark Treehole Forum” circulated large numbers of private and daily-life photos of women, including voyeur shots, non-consensual sex, and even minors. The group had as many as 100,000 members.
On the 23rd, CNN reported the incident triggered widespread concern and outrage on Chinese social media. Many women independently launched online investigations and shared how to report such cases. However, such posts were quickly deleted or silenced, and some related keywords were rerouted, demonstrating the censorship system at work.
Ms. D shared her experience publicly on social media, garnering over 40,000 likes and 20,000 reposts. She pointed out that “China’s Nth Room is spreading, and any woman could become a victim.” Some women even rallied with the slogan, “No investigation, no childbirth,” tying their demands to the state’s focus on low birth rates and highlighting deeper social contradictions.
Although the channel was shut down the day after the news broke, CNN’s investigation found that dozens of similar active groups still exist on Telegram, continuing to circulate voyeur content, pornography, and women’s personal information.
Chinese lawyers noted that producing or distributing pornographic content can be punished with up to life in prison, but if it’s non-profit, the sentence is only up to two years. Other lawyers warned that even if “Mask Park” is closed, illegal groups could quickly reorganize, making them harder to control.
Since Telegram is blocked in China, police must rely on international cooperation and definite evidence to track perpetrators, which is quite difficult. Although Telegram states it will block all non-consensual pornographic content and provide user information upon a “legal request,” it is unclear if China has officially launched an investigation.
Aside from Ms. D, other women have had similar experiences on platforms such as WeChat and Xiaohongshu, with multiple police reports being dismissed for “insufficient evidence,” and some cases only being filed after going viral online.
Zhou Ning, a male activist who has pursued voyeurism cases for years, criticized the overly lenient legal penalties, arguing they amount to tacit approval of such behavior. He presented evidence that illegal filming occurs in hotels, fitting rooms, medical facilities, and more.
28-year-old victim Lydia recalled once catching a voyeur, but the police only issued them a verbal warning. She said the problem stems from a lack of comprehensive sex education in society, adding, “It’s not my fault—it’s a failure of education.”
Currently, only Ms. D has bravely revealed her identity. She emphasized: “Any woman in China could become a potential victim at any time. I don’t want this issue to disappear.”
The incident continues to ferment, but so far, Chinese authorities have yet to issue a clear response on the “Mask Park” case. Women’s rights activists worry that without forceful investigations and legislative changes, this online sexual exploitation crisis is doomed to recur.
The channel has more than 100,000 subscribers, filled with images and videos of women shared without consent and derogatory comments, even implicating minors and abusers’ family members.
Earlier in July, media reported that China was rocked by a recent “Nth Room” incident. The Telegram group “MaskPark Treehole Forum” circulated large numbers of private and daily-life photos of women, including voyeur shots, non-consensual sex, and even minors. The group had as many as 100,000 members.
On the 23rd, CNN reported the incident triggered widespread concern and outrage on Chinese social media. Many women independently launched online investigations and shared how to report such cases. However, such posts were quickly deleted or silenced, and some related keywords were rerouted, demonstrating the censorship system at work.
Ms. D shared her experience publicly on social media, garnering over 40,000 likes and 20,000 reposts. She pointed out that “China’s Nth Room is spreading, and any woman could become a victim.” Some women even rallied with the slogan, “No investigation, no childbirth,” tying their demands to the state’s focus on low birth rates and highlighting deeper social contradictions.
Although the channel was shut down the day after the news broke, CNN’s investigation found that dozens of similar active groups still exist on Telegram, continuing to circulate voyeur content, pornography, and women’s personal information.
Chinese lawyers noted that producing or distributing pornographic content can be punished with up to life in prison, but if it’s non-profit, the sentence is only up to two years. Other lawyers warned that even if “Mask Park” is closed, illegal groups could quickly reorganize, making them harder to control.
Since Telegram is blocked in China, police must rely on international cooperation and definite evidence to track perpetrators, which is quite difficult. Although Telegram states it will block all non-consensual pornographic content and provide user information upon a “legal request,” it is unclear if China has officially launched an investigation.
Aside from Ms. D, other women have had similar experiences on platforms such as WeChat and Xiaohongshu, with multiple police reports being dismissed for “insufficient evidence,” and some cases only being filed after going viral online.
Zhou Ning, a male activist who has pursued voyeurism cases for years, criticized the overly lenient legal penalties, arguing they amount to tacit approval of such behavior. He presented evidence that illegal filming occurs in hotels, fitting rooms, medical facilities, and more.
28-year-old victim Lydia recalled once catching a voyeur, but the police only issued them a verbal warning. She said the problem stems from a lack of comprehensive sex education in society, adding, “It’s not my fault—it’s a failure of education.”
Currently, only Ms. D has bravely revealed her identity. She emphasized: “Any woman in China could become a potential victim at any time. I don’t want this issue to disappear.”
The incident continues to ferment, but so far, Chinese authorities have yet to issue a clear response on the “Mask Park” case. Women’s rights activists worry that without forceful investigations and legislative changes, this online sexual exploitation crisis is doomed to recur.