Operation Alice: Major Crackdown on Darknet Child Exploitation Sites
Operation Alice: Major Crackdown on Darknet Child Exploitation Sites
German authorities have dismantled over 370,000 darknet websites linked to child exploitation in a coordinated international operation.
The Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (BLKA) initiated “Operation Alice” from March 9 to 19, 2023, resulting in the identification of 440 users across 23 countries, including the U.S. and Australia. Investigations began in 2021, revealing a network of fraudulent sites selling images of severe child abuse, with a primary suspect, a 36-year-old Chinese national, sought under international warrant. The operation also highlighted the need for stricter regulations, as the German government plans to enhance measures against darknet crimes, including proposed legislation for mandatory IP address storage by internet providers.
For journalistic integrity, this report was summarized from: tagesschau.de
