In addition to Europol, police authorities from 19 countries were involved in the operation, including the Austrian Federal Criminal Police Office as well as the state criminal police offices of Vienna and Burgenland. The BK remained discreet on Friday for tactical reasons but confirmed that the investigations are ongoing. According to Europol, further actions are expected next week.

Dane Considered Main Suspect

A Danish citizen, who was already arrested in November 2024, is considered the main suspect. He is alleged to have operated an online platform through which users gained access to AI-generated abuse images with a symbolic payment.

During the investigation, 33 house searches were conducted and 273 suspects were identified. Most of the arrests were made on Wednesday.

Investigations in Legal Gray Area

The operation "Cumberland" is one of the first documented cases that deals exclusively with AI-generated abuse material. The lack of clear legal regulations makes it difficult for authorities to prosecute. Currently, EU member states are discussing a joint regulation to address the new threat.

Europol Director Catherine De Bolle warns: "These artificially generated images are so easy to create that they can be produced by individuals without extensive technical knowledge. This makes their distribution even more dangerous."

AI Images Hardly Distinguishable from Real Recordings

The technology is rapidly evolving: AI-generated images are now so realistic that they are difficult to distinguish from real abuse depictions. Even if no real victim exists, according to Europol, these contents contribute to the sexualization and objectification of children.

Law enforcement agencies are thus facing a completely new challenge: How can perpetrators be identified when the material is entirely artificial? Europol urgently calls for new investigative strategies and legal adjustments.

(APA/Red)

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