French authorities have dismantled a massive international child pornography network, arresting 95 individuals as part of an investigation led by the National Gendarmerie. This operation, launched last year, underscores the growing threat posed by the ease of access and exchange of illicit material via social networks and encrypted platforms.
During the crackdown, law enforcement seized a staggering 217 terabytes of data, including 375,000 photos and 156,000 videos stored on 122 computers, 152 smartphones, and 330 other digital devices.
Among those arrested were a youth organization director, a sports instructor, and even a deputy mayor. Many of the suspects, aged 18 to 74, admitted their guilt, with 36 already known to police for prior offenses involving child exploitation.
Colonel Hervé Petry of the National Cyber Unit highlighted the alarming ease with which such material is now circulated. “Thanks to the rise of social networks, this has taken on a truly worrying dimension,” Petry said, emphasizing how predators can quickly access and share content while potentially posing direct threats to children.
The investigation began after authorities discovered several child pornography discussion groups on the encrypted messaging app Signal. The case sheds light on the urgent need to combat the proliferation of online child exploitation, a crime that has surged with advancements in digital technology.
France’s gendarmerie has pledged to remain vigilant, with Colonel Petry reiterating their long-standing commitment to fighting child exploitation: “This fight is one we have been deeply invested in for decades.”