French authorities have taken decisive action by shutting down Coco, a chat website notorious for facilitating heinous crimes such as child sexual abuse and homicides. The closure, enforced with a seizure notice by national police, follows a collaborative investigation initiated in December 2023 involving law enforcement agencies from Bulgaria, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Hungary. This multinational effort led to the seizure of Coco’s servers in Germany and the arrest of its operator, a French citizen, in another country, alongside his wife’s arrest in southern France.
Coco, branded as “a den of predators” in France, has long been a focal point of concern for LGBTQ+ activists, human rights organizations, and child protection associations due to its history of facilitating criminal activities. Reports indicate the website allowed unrestricted access without moderation, which contributed to its popularity among cybercriminals. The closure comes after years of campaigning by advocacy groups like Innocence in Danger, highlighting Coco’s role in numerous judicial proceedings across France, impacting hundreds of victims. Despite being hosted on the Anglo-Norman island of Guernsey, Coco’s operations have drawn scrutiny and legal action from French authorities due to its significant impact on public safety and criminal justice.
The shutdown of Coco underscores ongoing efforts to combat online platforms used for illicit activities, particularly those posing severe risks to vulnerable individuals. The swift and coordinated response by law enforcement reflects a growing recognition of the need for international cooperation in tackling cybercrime and protecting communities from digital threats. As investigations continue, authorities are expected to further scrutinize similar platforms and enforce stricter regulations to mitigate the potential for online exploitation and violence.
