Hidden child abuse files found inside Bitcoin blockchain

Bitcoin
Blockchain is the network that Bitcoin runs on Credit: Bloomberg

The network that records Bitcoin payments has been found to store files and links to child abuse images which are impossible to remove, researchers have discovered.

Buried within the Bitcoin blockchain are more than 1,600 files and images, including hidden links to child pornography, according to researchers from the University of Aachen in Germany.

While most of these files were mundane, several files contained a total of 274 links to dark web sites or files containing illegal child sex abuse images. There was also one image within the blockchain itself showing a minor.

Bitcoin's blockchain can be downloaded, coming to more than 100GB in total, although this is not needed for making payments....

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