Europol has arrested 25 individuals in a major operation targeting an online network distributing AI-generated child sex abuse material (CSAM). The operation, named Operation Cumberland, began with the arrest of a key suspect in Denmark in November, followed by 24 simultaneous arrests on February 26. This network, hidden from casual viewers, required a symbolic payment for access. The AI-generated images, while not depicting real children, pose a significant risk as some AI models have been trained on actual CSAM, potentially resembling or depicting known victims. Europol emphasized that AI-generated CSAM contributes to the normalization of child sex abuse. The rapid advancement in AI technology makes it increasingly difficult to differentiate between real and AI-generated images, complicating law enforcement efforts. Europol warns that AI CSAM is being used for sexual extortion and contributes to the objectification of children.
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