Law enforcement agencies worldwide have arrested 25 suspects in a major operation targeting artificially generated child sexual abuse material, the European Union's law enforcement agency Europol announced Friday.
Dubbed "Operation Cumberland," the coordinated effort led by Danish police identified 273 suspects and conducted 33 house searches across multiple countries. The operation focused on an online platform distributing AI-generated abuse content.
According to Europol, the case began with the November 2024 arrest of the primary suspect, a Danish national who operated the platform. Users worldwide could access the illicit AI-generated material after making a small payment.
"These artificially generated images are so easily created that they can be produced by individuals with criminal intent, even without substantial technical knowledge," said Catherine De Bolle, Europol's Executive Director.
The operation involved law enforcement from 19 countries across Europe, as well as Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand. U.S. agencies did not participate in the effort.
Investigators faced unique challenges due to limited legislation addressing AI-generated abuse content. European Union member states are currently discussing new regulations to address this emerging threat.
While the content in this case was fully artificial without real victims, Europol emphasized that such material still promotes the exploitation of children. The agency plans to launch an online awareness campaign about the consequences of using AI for illegal purposes.
The investigation remains ongoing, with additional arrests expected in the coming weeks. Authorities seized 173 electronic devices during the operation.
This case highlights the growing challenge of AI-generated abuse content. Even when artificially created, such material remains a serious crime requiring new investigative approaches and legislative frameworks to combat effectively.