Is it computer altered so it isn't of real kids, or are they getting permission from families whose kids have had pornographic photos taken of them?

OK here's what the article says: "Court records do not note how many images of raped and abused children were shared or accessed while the FBI was operating “Website A.” Investigators also do not indicate whether known victims of child pornography – abused children pictured in widely distributed pornographic series – have been notified photos of their abuse were again shared as part of the investigation."

If photos of a child of mine were involved, I'd be pretty upset.

depicted, it's not as if these guys post names and dates---each picture needs to be investigated. It's entirely probable that the families themselves are complicit in the abuse.

I can see why you would do this for 2 weeks, in the hopes that you would get the user information and then track through each user hopefully, the victim. No easy answers here.

I thought that was illegal.

I know child pornography is illegal - how is it legal for the FBI to run an illegal operation to catch people doing something illegal?

The FBI is making it available, and then seeing who comes to get it. There's no pressure by the FBI to break the law.

I still don't think that breaking the law to catch law-breakers is necessarily a good thing.

Had the FBI not taken over, they would have still used the website. Many were also customers before and after the takeover.

Entrapment, on the other hand, would be tricking people into going to the website (like, for instance, telling people that it's a website for getting coupons, and then arresting them if they clicked the link).

Pedophiles are the lowest of the lows. Not about to defend anyone on any basis who gets his kicks off watching/engaging in child rape. Sick mother fuckers

which was answered, twice. Not sure I equate asking the question with defending the people who engage in this vile practice.

This is one of those cases.

Just remember what happens to child molesters serving life in prison.

If they were given the option, I think a large number of them would choose execution over life in prison.

Sick fucks.