Dozens of people have been arrested over their suspected involvement in the distribution of AI-generated images and video of child sexual abuse.
Most of the 25 suspects – who are believed to be part of a criminal group – were arrested in simultaneous operations this week, Europol said on Friday.
The main suspect, a Danish national arrested in November, is thought to have run an online platform, where he distributed the AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Users could pay for an account that would grant them access to it.
So far the probe, which is codenamed Operation Cumberland and led by Danish law enforcement, has resulted in 273 suspects being identified in 19 countries, 33 houses being searched, and 173 items seized.
Europol and the Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (J-CAT) are helping to coordinate the global investigation, with further arrests expected in the coming weeks.
Some of the countries involved in the operation include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Spain and New Zealand.
Forces in the UK include the Metropolitan Police, Kent Police, West Mercia Police, Northamptonshire Police, Essex Police, Police Scotland, Hertfordshire Constabulary and Lincolnshire Police.
Europol said: “Self-generated child sexual material constitutes a significant share of the CSAM that is detected.
“AI models able to generate or alter images are being abused by offenders to produce CSAM and for sexual extorsion.
“Such models are widely available and have developed quickly, with output that now increasingly resembles genuine material, making it harder to identify as artificially generated.
“This poses significant challenges to authorities in identifying the real victims.
“Even in cases when the content is fully artificial and there is no real victim depicted… AI-generated CSAM still contributes to the objectification and sexualisation of children.”
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Operation Cumberland comes amid plans by the UK government to close the legal loophole on AI-generated CSAM.
New legislation will create specific offences against:
• Possessing, creating or distributing AI tools designed to generate CSAM, punishable by up to five years in prison
• Possessing AI “paedophile manuals” that teach people how to use AI to sexually abuse children, punishable by up to three years in prison
Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister, said Britain is the “first country in the world” to legislate for AI abuse imagery.
She said: “This is a global problem and is going to need global solutions. This government is leading the way on trying to clamp down on this horrendous crime.”
