Latest news with #OperationCumberland
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
EU overwhelmingly votes to criminalise AI-generated child sexual abuse material
The EU has overwhelmingly voted to criminalise AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) as part of "monumental" legislation that will transform protections for children and victims. It will be a criminal offence to create, possess, or distribute CSAM that has been created using artificial intelligence. It also covers offences related to livestreamed abuse, grooming, and sextortion. The European Parliament voted in favour of the directive by 599 to two with 62 abstentions. Over the last year, there has been more than a 1,000% increase in the generation of child sexual abuse content using AI. Irish MEP Maria Walsh said that policy has not kept up with technology while children have been targeted by "the most disturbing forces in society". "As a member of the committee responsible for the new law passed in the European Parliament this week, I know the real life impact it will have on vulnerable children and victims," said Ms Walsh. The legislation will introduce tougher penalties for offenders, and it will introduce a clear ban on horrific 'instruction manuals' that teach people how to abuse children. The legislation will see AI material criminalised across all 27 member states in the same fashion as real abuse because the models have to be trained using real material, said Dutch MEP Jeroen Lenaers as rapporteur. "From AI-generated child sexual abuse material, it is only a very small step to abusing children in real life and it needs to stop," said Mr Lenaers. Europol's Operation Cumberland in February saw 25 arrests in what was one of the first cases involved in AI-generated child sexual abuse material. Supported by authorities in 19 countries, the operation saw 273 suspects identified and 173 electronic devices seized. The National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), a US-based organisation, said it has witnessed a surge in worldwide reports of online abuse in recent years. In 2022, the number of reports reached over 32 million with 49,000 of these identified as involving a child in imminent danger. Statute of limitations The legislation passed on Tuesday will also remove the statute of limitations on child abuse crimes to ensure prosecution of all crimes and to allow victims the time to come forward. "The legislation will also remove the statute of limitation on child sexual abuse crimes in all EU countries - a crucial move given the average age of disclosure of an experience of child sexual abuse is 52 years old," said Ms Walsh. "On top of this, a third of abused children never tell anyone at all. This legislation tells survivors that the clock will never run out on their rightful search for justice." Time should not wash away accountability and there should be no safe zone for abusers that begins when the clock runs out, she said. Read More Child sexual abuse imagery being shared online by use of artificial intelligence, report finds
The Guardian
01-03-2025
- The Guardian
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. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email 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
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
Dozens arrested in global operation over AI-generated child sexual abuse material
Twenty-five people have been arrested in a global operation over AI-generated child sexual abuse material, said Europol, the European Union's law enforcement agency, in a statement Friday. Operation Cumberland, which was led by Danish law enforcement, is one of the world's first cases involving this kind of child abuse material, which Europol said made it 'exceptionally challenging for investigators.' The operation spanned 19 countries, including a number of European nations, as well as Australia and New Zealand, according to the statement. The case began when a Danish man was arrested in November 2024, Europol said. The man allegedly produced AI-generated child sexual abuse material, then distributed it on an online platform he ran. Users would pay to access the platform and 'watch children being abused,' Europol said. Some 273 suspects were identified, with more arrests expected to take place in the coming weeks, the agency said. Those already arrested were 'part of a criminal group' whose members distributed fully AI-generated images of minors, it alleged. 'These artificially generated images are so easily created that they can be produced by individuals with criminal intent, even without substantial technical knowledge,' Catherine De Bolle, Europol's Executive Director, said in the statement. 'This contributes to the growing prevalence of child sexual abuse material, and as the volume increases, it becomes progressively more challenging for investigators to identify offenders or victims,' she added. Even though the content investigated in Operation Cumberland was 'fully artificial' with 'no real victim depicted,' AI-generated child sexual abuse material 'still contributes to the objectification and sexualization of children,' the statement read. The law enforcement agency will soon be launching an online campaign that will highlight 'the consequences of using AI for illegal purposes,' it added.
CNN
28-02-2025
- CNN
Dozens arrested in crackdown on AI-generated child sexual abuse material
Twenty-five people have been arrested in a global operation over AI-generated child sexual abuse material, said Europol, the European Union's law enforcement agency, in a statement Friday. Operation Cumberland, which was led by Danish law enforcement, is one of the world's first cases involving this kind of child abuse material, which Europol said made it 'exceptionally challenging for investigators.' The operation spanned 19 countries, including a number of European nations, as well as Australia and New Zealand, according to the statement. The case began when a Danish man was arrested in November 2024, Europol said. The man allegedly produced AI-generated child sexual abuse material, then distributed it on an online platform he ran. Users would pay to access the platform and 'watch children being abused,' Europol said. Some 273 suspects were identified, with more arrests expected to take place in the coming weeks, the agency said. Those already arrested were 'part of a criminal group' whose members distributed fully AI-generated images of minors, it alleged. 'These artificially generated images are so easily created that they can be produced by individuals with criminal intent, even without substantial technical knowledge,' Catherine De Bolle, Europol's Executive Director, said in the statement. 'This contributes to the growing prevalence of child sexual abuse material, and as the volume increases, it becomes progressively more challenging for investigators to identify offenders or victims,' she added. Even though the content investigated in Operation Cumberland was 'fully artificial' with 'no real victim depicted,' AI-generated child sexual abuse material 'still contributes to the objectification and sexualization of children,' the statement read. The law enforcement agency will soon be launching an online campaign that will highlight 'the consequences of using AI for illegal purposes,' it added.
CNN
28-02-2025
- CNN
Dozens arrested in crackdown on AI-generated child sexual abuse material
Twenty-five people have been arrested in a global operation over AI-generated child sexual abuse material, said Europol, the European Union's law enforcement agency, in a statement Friday. Operation Cumberland, which was led by Danish law enforcement, is one of the world's first cases involving this kind of child abuse material, which Europol said made it 'exceptionally challenging for investigators.' The operation spanned 19 countries, including a number of European nations, as well as Australia and New Zealand, according to the statement. The case began when a Danish man was arrested in November 2024, Europol said. The man allegedly produced AI-generated child sexual abuse material, then distributed it on an online platform he ran. Users would pay to access the platform and 'watch children being abused,' Europol said. Some 273 suspects were identified, with more arrests expected to take place in the coming weeks, the agency said. Those already arrested were 'part of a criminal group' whose members distributed fully AI-generated images of minors, it alleged. 'These artificially generated images are so easily created that they can be produced by individuals with criminal intent, even without substantial technical knowledge,' Catherine De Bolle, Europol's Executive Director, said in the statement. 'This contributes to the growing prevalence of child sexual abuse material, and as the volume increases, it becomes progressively more challenging for investigators to identify offenders or victims,' she added. Even though the content investigated in Operation Cumberland was 'fully artificial' with 'no real victim depicted,' AI-generated child sexual abuse material 'still contributes to the objectification and sexualization of children,' the statement read. The law enforcement agency will soon be launching an online campaign that will highlight 'the consequences of using AI for illegal purposes,' it added.
