European police say KidFlix,

German investigators mentioned Wednesday that that they had dismantled a significant platform for the distribution of kid sexual abuse pictures that had 1.8 million customers worldwide, in a world operation coordinated by the pan-European police company Europol.

The transfer to close down the “KidFlix” streaming service was “one of many largest blows towards baby pornography lately, if not ever,” mentioned Guido Limmer, deputy head of the Bavarian Legal Police.

The investigation was led by German police and supported by authorities in 38 international locations, together with Australia, Canada and the U.S., below the coordination of Europol.

In all, “KidFlix” is alleged to have hosted greater than 91,000 movies with pictures of kid sexual abuse, totaling round 6,288 hours of video, in accordance with the Bavarian police pressure.

Authorities had been capable of determine virtually 1,400 particular person customers of the platform, which was hosted on the so-called darknet or darkish net.

Police in March carried out searches at places in 31 international locations within the “largest operation ever” organized by Europol, in accordance with Limmer.

A joint raid by German and Dutch authorities resulted within the seizure of a tough drive with round 72,000 movies of kid sexual abuse, he mentioned.

In Germany, police carried out raids at 96 places, focusing on 103 particular person suspects, the Bavarian police mentioned.

German authorities mentioned that they had labored to determine baby victims of the abuse whereas the investigation was nonetheless in progress.

Police arrested a 36-year-old man within the japanese German metropolis of Chemnitz in January 2024 who had looked for abuse pictures on “KidFlix”.

The person had additionally “provided his younger son for video games,” Limmer mentioned. The kid had been handed over to baby safety providers.

Investigators had additionally been capable of determine a “serial” abuser in america, Limmer mentioned.

“KidFlix” was created in 2021 by a “cybercriminal who made big revenue from it,” in accordance with Europol, “because it rapidly grew to become some of the common platforms amongst pedophiles.” 

About 3.5 new movies had been being uploaded to the location per hour earlier than it was taken down, in accordance with the worldwide police company.