Andorra Police Probe WhatsApp Group Distributing Child Pornography

Police in Andorra are investigating a large WhatsApp group suspected of distributing pornographic content involving minors, with the Spanish embassy in the Principat confirming on Wednesday that the probe remains open to establish both its origin and full scope.

The embassy alerted families after receiving reports of the group, noting that many minors may have been added without their consent. This has heightened concerns among education authorities, who have urged parents to check their children's mobile devices for any links to the illicit channel.

In a communication to families, the Education Department stated that police have taken charge of the case and are working to identify those responsible and clarify the circumstances surrounding the group's creation and dissemination.

To bolster safety, the embassy recommended adjusting WhatsApp privacy settings, such as restricting group additions to known contacts only. It also advised hiding profile photos, status updates, and location data from the public, and enabling two-step verification for accounts. Parents were encouraged to use parental control tools to monitor digital activity and detect risky behaviour early.

The statement reminded families that WhatsApp's minimum age requirement is 13, warning that unsupervised access by younger children exposes them to harmful content. Sharing pornographic material—even among minors—carries legal consequences, as it constitutes a criminal offence.

Authorities stressed the need for open communication with children to build trust, advising them not to accept invitations from strangers on digital platforms. Families spotting any related signs should contact schools or police.

The embassy reaffirmed its commitment to student safety and welfare amid the ongoing investigation.