During the 60’s the FBI planted people in the KKK and other organizations, they also planted people in Motorcycle clubs in the 80’s. Why is it surprising that they plant people in kiddie porn?
Yup. There are lines undercover cops shouldn’t cross, but they do have to do some pretty bad things if they are going to maintain credibility with the groups they’re infiltrating.
Producing new kiddie porn by abusing children is one of the lines that should never be crossed, and hopefully one they would never even consider. Using already existing porn to trap users is very close to the line, but one that I can deal with from an ethical standpoint.
How this plays out legally is of course another issue.