Amsterdam: In a sweeping international crackdown, Europol has dismantled one of the world’s largest paedophile networks, leading to 79 arrests across 35 countries.
The network, operating through a platform known as Kidflix, facilitated the sharing and distribution of child sexual abuse material on an unprecedented scale.
According to Europol, the operation, conducted in March, resulted in the seizure of the platform’s central server in a joint effort by German and Dutch authorities.
At the time of the shutdown, the server contained 72,000 videos, while the platform had hosted a total of approximately 91,000 unique videos since its creation in 2021.
Unlike traditional illicit platforms, Kidflix enabled users to stream child sexual abuse material in addition to downloading content.
Kidflix, one of the largest paedophile platforms in the world, has been shut down in an international operation against child sexual exploitation.
⏹️ Europol has supported authorities from 38 countries worldwide in shutting down the platform.
More: https://t.co/eoETaBNyBi pic.twitter.com/FPI9xkuTkE
— Europol (@Europol) April 2, 2025
The platform operated on a cryptocurrency-based payment system, converting digital payments into tokens, which users could earn by uploading material, verifying video titles, and categorizing content.
With 1.8 million users worldwide over the past three years, the platform generated substantial profits, making it one of the most expansive networks ever dismantled by law enforcement. Europol emphasized the severity of the case, calling it the largest operation ever undertaken by its child sexual exploitation experts.
Beyond the 79 individuals already arrested, Europol reported that nearly 1,400 suspects have been identified globally. Some of those detained are suspected of directly abusing children. The operation has also led to the protection of 39 children, underscoring its immediate impact in safeguarding vulnerable victims.
Authorities continue to investigate the network’s operations, with further arrests and rescues expected as law enforcement agencies analyze seized data.
