AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material Proliferates on TikTok in Spain
An investigation in Spain found that TikTok hosts approximately 40 accounts with over 1.5 million followers distributing thousands of sexualized videos of minors, both AI-generated and stolen from real accounts. The accounts functioned as entry points to child sexual abuse material traded on Telegram, and TikTok's algorithm amplified such content when users engaged with it.
What happened
An investigation by Maldita.es identified 40 TikTok accounts with over 1.5 million followers collectively publishing thousands of sexualized videos of minors, both AI-generated and stolen from real accounts. Over 5,200 videos were AI-generated and 3,600 belonged to real minors, many bearing TikTok's watermark.
The accounts used TikTok as an entry point to child sexual abuse material commercialized on other platforms. Comments sections functioned as contact channels where coded messages like 'compro', 'cambio', or 'tlg' directed users to Telegram groups trafficking illegal content, and some profiles contained direct links to external sites offering such material.
TikTok's algorithm amplified the content. When researchers created a test account and viewed sexualized minor content, the platform began recommending additional such videos in the 'Para Ti' feed, search results, and creator suggestions.
Reported impact
The proliferation of AI-generated and real child sexual abuse material on TikTok facilitated the organization and monetization of child exploitation across multiple platforms, particularly via Telegram groups that sold or traded illegal content.
Index analysis
When researchers contacted 14 accounts promoted on Telegram, 11 automatically sent menus of available packs, and seven directly sent child sexual abuse images without solicitation, demonstrating an operational system for distributing illegal content.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.