A coordinated law enforcement operation last month shut down Kidflix, one of the largest platforms for hosting, sharing and transmitting child sexual abuse (CSAM). The dark web platform was shut down on March 11 as part of an operation (Operation Stream) coordinated by German law enforcement.
The joint operation was also supported by Europol from the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3), who analysed thousands of videos, offering their assistance to the investigation.
See also: Meta: Teaches children how to recognize online exploitation
The police operation began in 2022 and has so far led to 79 arrests and the identification of 1,393 suspects . 3,000 electronic devices have also been seized between March 10 and March 23, 2025.
According to Europol, at least 1.8 million users logged into the platform between April 2022 and March 2025. On March 11 of this year, the server containing around 72,000 videoswas seized by German and Dutch authorities. Some of those arrested not only uploaded and watched videos on Kidflix but were also the ones who abused children.
According to the Dutch National Police, information about the suspects was shared with investigating authorities in 35 countries.
Many of the suspects identified during the investigation were cross-checked with Europol databases.
Kidflix launched in 2021 and hosted over 91,000 unique videos (6,288 hours) while it was active. On average, 3.5 new videos were uploaded to the platform every hour.
See also: UK: New laws to combat AI child sexual abuse images
“Unlike other known platforms of this kind, Kidflix not only allowed users to download CSAM but also to stream video files. Users made payments using cryptocurrencies, which were then converted into tokens,” Europol added. These tokens could then be used to view content.
Each video was uploaded in different versions – low, medium and high quality. Criminals could preview the content and pay a fee to unlock higher quality versions.
Closing Kidflix
These operations by law enforcement are significant victories in the fight against malicious platforms and illegal online marketplaces, but the problem remains, especially when children are involved. These underground sites are constantly evolving and adapting, making it difficult to completely eliminate them. As soon as one is shut down, another appears in its place. Constant vigilance, international cooperation and the use of sophisticated technologies to stay ahead of the criminals operating on the dark web.
See also: Peer-to-peer software used to distribute child pornography
Only through a combination of these efforts can we hope to have a significant impact and reduce the harm caused by illegal online activities. With each new operation and arrest, we are getting closer to creating a safer online environment for everyone. It is important that authorities remain committed to this goal and continue to work together to dismantle these criminal networks.
🔒 Protect your privacy with Proton VPN
Swiss VPN from the creators of Proton Mail — strict no-logs policy, strong encryption, and built-in NetShield that blocks ads, trackers, & malware.
- ✔ No-logs, based in Switzerland (except 14-Eyes)
- ✔ NetShield: blocks ads, trackers & malicious domains
- ✔ Covers all devices — free version available
The link is an affiliate link — SecNews may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. It does not affect the independence of our article writing.
Source: www.bleepingcomputer.com
