Spanish police have arrested a man in the northern Basque province of Álava on suspicion of using artificial intelligence to create child pornography, including manipulated images of minors photographed in everyday public settings.
According to the National Police, the investigation began in August after abusive material was detected online through international cooperation and cyber-monitoring efforts. Tracking the suspect proved difficult as he used sophisticated techniques to hide his identity.
After securing judicial authorisation, officers searched the man’s home on November 18, arresting him on charges related to the production and possession of child sexual abuse material.
Police said they seized a large quantity of digital content, some of it generated using AI tools to sexualise images of children by digitally altering their appearance.
Recently investigators claimed that some social media accounts are using AI ‘reels’ and TikTok videos to redirect users to child abuse content on the messaging app Telegram, despite platform rules banning such materials.
