Child porn network taken down in major international operation, Germany announces

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - One of the world's largest darknet platforms used for streaming child pornography has been taken down, German authorities announced Wednesday.

The international operation, codenamed “OP Stream,” involved law enforcement agencies from 38 countries, including the US, UK, and various EU member states. Dutch authorities seized the darknet platform “KidFlix's” servers.

The darknet platform, which required users to register and pay in cryptocurrencies, contained tens of thousands of photographs and videos showing serious sexual abuse of children, according to German authorities who launched the investigation. It had more than 1.8 million users worldwide.

During the operation, which was coordinated by Europol, investigators identified 1,393 suspects worldwide, despite their attempts to conceal their identities. In Germany alone, more than 100 suspects were identified, according to a joint statement from the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (BLKA) and the Bamberg Public Prosecutor's Office.

“Investigators focused primarily on meticulously tracking cryptocurrency payment methods. BLKA specialists managed to trace payments back to suspects, even when they used mixing services and anonymity-focused cryptocurrencies,” German authorities said.

The investigation continues in multiple countries, according to the prosecutors, as the authorities examine seized electronic devices and conduct additional searches. Law enforcement officials have seized numerous electronic devices, including mobile phones and computers, during the operation conducted from March 10 to 23, in a total of 38 states, primarily European countries.