Europol dismantles major platform for child sexual abuse
The 'KidFlix' streaming service has been taken down as part of a significant international operation, as stated in a press release. According to Europol, the service was one of the largest platforms for child sexual abuse, boasting nearly two...
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The 'KidFlix' streaming service has been taken down as part of a significant international operation, as stated in a press release.
According to Europol, the service was one of the largest platforms for child sexual abuse, boasting nearly two million users. Launched in 2021, it contained over 91,000 videos and attracted approximately 1.8 million users globally over three years.
Europol announced this week that more than 35 countries collaborated in the operation that led to its shutdown by German and Dutch authorities in March.
This operation, named ‘Operation Stream,’ represents the largest case of child sexual exploitation ever managed by Europol and ranks among the agency's most significant investigations in recent years.
The inquiry into the platform, which commenced in 2022, has resulted in 79 arrests and the identification of nearly 1,400 suspects. Some individuals arrested were found to be not only users of the material but also active abusers, as noted by Europol.
In contrast to similar services, KidFlix permitted users to both download and stream child sexual abuse content.
Catherine de Bolle, Europol’s Executive Director, stated that advancements in digital technology have greatly accelerated the evolution of online child sexual exploitation.
“Some attempt to frame this as merely a technical or cyber issue – but it is not. There are real victims behind these crimes, and those victims are children,” she remarked.
The prevalence of online child sexual abuse material has notably increased in recent years, with 2024 projected to be the worst year on record, according to the UK-based Internet Watch Foundation. The IWF has reported an 830% rise in abusive imagery since it began monitoring such content in 2014.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
According to Europol, the service was one of the largest platforms for child sexual abuse, boasting nearly two million users. Launched in 2021, it contained over 91,000 videos and attracted approximately 1.8 million users globally over three years.
Europol announced this week that more than 35 countries collaborated in the operation that led to its shutdown by German and Dutch authorities in March.
This operation, named ‘Operation Stream,’ represents the largest case of child sexual exploitation ever managed by Europol and ranks among the agency's most significant investigations in recent years.
The inquiry into the platform, which commenced in 2022, has resulted in 79 arrests and the identification of nearly 1,400 suspects. Some individuals arrested were found to be not only users of the material but also active abusers, as noted by Europol.
In contrast to similar services, KidFlix permitted users to both download and stream child sexual abuse content.
Catherine de Bolle, Europol’s Executive Director, stated that advancements in digital technology have greatly accelerated the evolution of online child sexual exploitation.
“Some attempt to frame this as merely a technical or cyber issue – but it is not. There are real victims behind these crimes, and those victims are children,” she remarked.
The prevalence of online child sexual abuse material has notably increased in recent years, with 2024 projected to be the worst year on record, according to the UK-based Internet Watch Foundation. The IWF has reported an 830% rise in abusive imagery since it began monitoring such content in 2014.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
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