At least 25 individuals were arrested in global operations targeting the distribution of AI-generated images depicting child sexual abuse, Europol announced.
The suspects were part of a criminal network involved in producing and disseminating computer-generated images of minors. This operation marks one of the first of its kind to address such material, which Europol described as exceptionally challenging for investigators due to the lack of specific national legislation addressing these crimes.
The arrests were conducted simultaneously on Wednesday, February 26, as part of Operation Cumberland, led by Danish law enforcement. Authorities from 18 countries collaborated in the operation, which remains ongoing, with further arrests anticipated in the coming weeks.
In addition to the arrests, 272 suspects have been identified, 33 properties were searched, and 173 electronic devices were seized. The main suspect, a Danish national, was apprehended in November 2024. He allegedly operated an online platform where he distributed AI-generated material. Users worldwide could access the platform and view child sexual abuse content after making a symbolic payment.
Europol emphasized that online sexual exploitation of children is a top priority for law enforcement, given the growing volume of illegal content. Even when the material is entirely AI-generated and involves no real victims, such as in the case of Operation Cumberland, it still contributes to the objectification and sexualization of children.
Catherine De Bolle, Europol’s Executive Director, warned, “These artificially generated images are so easily created that individuals with criminal intentions can produce them without significant technical expertise.” She stressed the need for law enforcement to develop “new examination methods and tools” to tackle these emerging challenges.
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has also raised alarms, noting that AI-generated child sexual abuse material is increasingly appearing on open websites. A study by the charity revealed that 3,512 AI-generated images of child exploitation were found on a single dark web platform in one month last year, with the most severe category of images increasing by 10% compared to the previous year.
Experts caution that AI-generated child sexual abuse material can appear incredibly realistic, making it difficult to distinguish from real content and posing significant challenges for law enforcement and child protection efforts.
