Michelle ThompsonEuropol announced the arrest of 25 individuals in a global crackdown on AI-generated child exploitation material.
Led by Danish authorities, Operation Cumberland is among the first cases of its kind, posing significant challenges for investigators. The operation covered 19 countries, including several in Europe, as well as Australia and New Zealand.
The case originated with the arrest of a Danish man in November 2024, who allegedly created and distributed AI-generated child abuse content via a paid online platform. Europol identified 273 suspects, with further arrests anticipated.
Those detained were reportedly part of a criminal network distributing fully AI-generated images of minors. Europol warned that such content is easy to produce, even by individuals with minimal technical expertise, fueling the spread of exploitative material and complicating investigations.
Although the images in this case were artificial and depicted no real victims, Europol emphasized that AI-generated content still contributes to the objectification and sexualization of children.
The agency plans to launch an online campaign to raise awareness about the legal consequences of misusing AI.
