AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Authorities have arrested two dozen individuals this week as part of an international operation targeting a criminal group that distributed AI-generated images depicting child sexual abuse, according to the European Union’s police agency on Friday.
This operation represents an early instance of law enforcement action against the misuse of artificial intelligence to create child abuse material, Europol indicated. The agency also noted the absence of comprehensive national legislation specifically addressing the deployment of AI tools for such purposes.
The central suspect in the case, a Danish national, operated an online platform where he disseminated the AI-generated content he produced. Users from around the world gained access to this platform by making a “symbolic online payment.”
The investigation is ongoing and involves authorities from 19 countries, including Australia, Spain, and the United Kingdom. According to Europol, most of the 25 arrests occurred simultaneously on Wednesday. Danish authorities led the operation, but Europol did not disclose the countries where the arrests took place. The agency anticipates further arrests in the coming weeks.
(Reporting by Makini Brice; Editing by Ros Russell)
