In a groundbreaking international operation, law enforcement agencies have successfully dismantled “Kidflix,” one of the largest child sexual abuse material (CSAM) websites on the dark web. This major takedown occurred on March 11, 2025, and involved authorities from more than 35 countries working together to eradicate this heinous platform.
The platform, which had a staggering 1.8 million registered users, operated from 2021 until its seizure and was designed to grow rapidly. Kidflix allowed users to stream and download CSAM, using a system that rewarded uploads and engagement with cryptocurrency-based tokens. These tokens incentivized users to upload more content and engage with the platform, perpetuating the cycle of abuse.
The sheer scale of the abuse facilitated by Kidflix is nothing short of alarming. With approximately 91,000 unique videos totaling over 6,200 hours of CSAM, the platform was a haven for predators to exploit vulnerable children. On average, 3.5 new videos were uploaded every hour, many of which had never been seen by investigators before, highlighting the rampant nature of this criminal operation.
Europol’s press release revealed that 79 individuals have been arrested in connection with the site, including those directly involved in abusing children. Law enforcement has identified nearly 1,400 suspects, and the investigation is still ongoing. Additionally, authorities have seized over 3,000 electronic devices and rescued 39 children from dangerous situations, underscoring the tangible impact of this coordinated effort.
Kidflix wasn’t just a run-of-the-mill dark web platform; it was a meticulously organized and profitable operation. Users could earn tokens by uploading CSAM, tagging content, and verifying video descriptions, ultimately monetizing and incentivizing the perpetuation of abuse. The site’s infrastructure supported video streaming in varying qualities, making it even more appealing to predators seeking such illicit content.
Dubbed Operation Stream, this investigation began in 2022 and culminated in two weeks of coordinated actions in March 2025. Europol played a crucial role in supporting the operation by processing and analyzing thousands of videos and collaborating with international partners to trace evidence across borders. Europol’s Executive Director, Catherine De Bolle, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that behind every video lies a child who has endured real abuse, emphasizing the urgent need to eradicate such platforms from the source.
The success of this operation hinged on global collaboration, with agencies from countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Germany working together to track suspects, secure digital evidence, and identify victims. The server infrastructure behind Kidflix was seized by German and Dutch authorities, effectively halting its operations and cutting off access to the extensive content archive.
In conclusion, the takedown of Kidflix marks a significant victory in the fight against online child exploitation. This collaborative effort serves as a stark reminder of the importance of international cooperation in combatting such heinous crimes and underscores the relentless pursuit of justice for the victims of CSAM.