Two Australian men charged in global investigation into AI-made child abuse images
Two Australian men have been charged during a global operation into a criminal group distributing artificial intelligence-generated child abuse images.
A 38-year-old NSW man and 31-year-old Queensland man have been arrested alongside a total of 25 linked to the investigation into child sexual exploitation.
A Danish national was arrested in November for allegedly producing AI-generated child abuse material and charging users to view it through an online subscription service.
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The Australian federal police launched an investigation into allegations two Australian men were subscribers of the site.
Police raids allegedly uncovered child abuse material on mobile phones and other electronic devices at each man's home.
'Operation Cumberland' was one of the first cases involving AI-generated child sexual abuse material and was led by Danish police alongside Europol and law enforcement agencies from 19 countries.
Authorities are dealing with more AI-generated material and AFP Det Acting Supt Kurt Wesche said it was getting harder for police to work out if child abuse images were real or not.
'Although the children depicted in this material are not real, these criminal networks are still involved in the sexual exploitation of children,' he said.
'In Australia, it is a criminal offence to create, possess or share content that depicts the abuse of someone aged under 18; it is child abuse material irrespective of whether it is 'real' or not.'
A total of 273 suspects were identified via the worldwide probe and more arrests were expected.
In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800; adult survivors can seek help at Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. In the UK, the NSPCC offers support to children on 0800 1111, and adults concerned about a child on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 0331. In the US, call or text the Childhelp abuse hotline on 800-422-4453. Other sources of help can be found at Child Helplines International
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