Tech vs. trafficking

The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), in collaboration with the University of Westminster, is hosting Understanding the Role of Technology in Human Trafficking and Smuggling – A Roundtable Discussion to explore the critical intersection of technology and human trafficking in the UK, Europe and internationally. Combining insights from leading experts and representatives from tech companies, with NatCen’s research capabilities, this event aims to highlight the key threats and opportunities posed by technology in disrupting human trafficking networks and countering related misinformation.

Technology’s role in this space cannot be overstated. On one hand, technologies like social media and cryptocurrencies are increasingly exploited by smugglers to promote their services and receive payments. On the other, technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics from sentiment analysis to behavioural models, can identify and analyse patterns in trafficking operations that would otherwise go unnoticed. This roundtable will feature real-world case studies in different regions, from Albania to Syria, highlighting best practice or lessons learnt from successful or unsuccessful disruption efforts.

In this blog, we draw on NatCen’s research to outline three key areas for tech to counter human trafficking globally. 

The problem

Human trafficking persists as a grave global challenge. With 30 routes transferring 2.5 million migrants across continents per year, the smuggling of migrants alone has become a lucrative industry, generating smugglers a minimum annual income of £4 to 5.5 billion, or equivalent to what the US or EU countries spend on humanitarian aid globally per year. This research programme will highlight the capability and responsibility of tech firms in contributing to a global solution to trafficking.

The proliferation of technology has facilitated these illicit activities but also offered unprecedented opportunities for intervention. There is a need for new research to explore the tech eco-system and re-imagine its role and strategies in combating trafficking. Understanding the complex entry points into trafficking and the power dynamics at play is crucial for developing effective strategies. This approach goes beyond criminalisation, pinpointing the nuanced ways technology can intervene. We outline three key spaces for intervention.

Spaces for Intervention

1.    Multisectoral collaborations: Combining forces for good

Collaboration is key to creating a unified and effective response to human trafficking and misinformation. Identifying opportunities for tech companies to complement the work of civil society organisations will be the first step. 

Tech Against Trafficking (TAT)  is a solid example of this type of coalition of technology companies collaborating with global experts to combat human trafficking. Members like Microsoft, Amazon, and Salesforce work with NGOs and civil society organisations to leverage technology in preventing and disrupting trafficking. Another is the NGO Stop the Traffik, who have partnered with IBM to develop a global trafficking data hub powered by IBM’s Watson AI. The collaboration enables the aggregation and analysis of large datasets from various sectors, including law enforcement, NGOs, and private companies, to identify trafficking hotspots and patterns.

2.    Building a new evidence base on how technology is part of the problem

NatCen International will examine a number of country case studies and analysing for detailed social media and sentiment to understand the nuances of trafficking patterns and related misinformation at a local level. We will utilise data to understand and profile 'push and pull' factors that increase vulnerability, including low technological literacy and extreme-adverse personal circumstances. 

The roundtable will begin to build detailed case studies demonstrating successful and bold disruption efforts through tech interventions. For example, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducts detailed analyses of trafficking patterns worldwide, including the role of technology in facilitating trafficking.

Successes can also be seen in the work by Polaris, the organization behind the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline, which published research highlighting how traffickers use online platforms to exploit victims. Their analysis includes social media sentiment analysis and profiling of vulnerabilities that increase risk, such as low digital literacy and poverty.

3.    Exploring how technology could be part of the solution 

Expected outcomes include the development of actionable strategies and policy recommendations for disrupting human trafficking networks using technology. A collaborative framework will be established between big tech, civil society, and other stakeholders to enhance efforts in combating human trafficking and misinformation. 

As an example, Thorn, a non-profit organisation, developed the Spotlight tool to help law enforcement identify victims of sex trafficking faster. The tool uses machine learning algorithms to analyse online ads and other digital footprints to detect potential trafficking cases. 

In 2023, NatCen International, in collaboration with the University of Westminster, was commissioned by the Home Office to complete a project examining why asylum seekers decide to travel to the UK. This work was funded by the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund. 

Our roundtable – join us

NatCen International and the University of Westminster are hosting this dynamic roundtable to explore the opportunities to tackle the intersection of technology and human trafficking. This event will gather tech leaders, researchers, and activists to forge bold strategies and policies aimed at dismantling trafficking networks and debunking harmful misinformation. As technology reshapes our lives, big tech must step up, turning their platforms from trafficking tools into powerful agents of change. This initiative seeks to leverage tech's potential as a cornerstone in the fight against human trafficking.

References

Meta (2024) Transparency Report: Community Standards Enforcement Report. Available at: https://transparency.meta.com/reports/community-standards-enforcement/

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2018) Global Study on Smuggling Migrants. Available at: https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/glosom/GLOSOM_2018_web_small.pdf

Meta (2024) Data and Reports: Meta's Efforts Against Misinformation. Available at: https://transparency.meta.com/en-gb/features/approach-to-misinformation/

UK Home Office (2024) Modern Slavery: National Referral Mechanism Statistics. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/modern-slavery-nrm-and-dtn-statistics-january-to-march-2024/modern-slavery-national-referral-mechanism-and-duty-to-notify-statistics-uk-quarter-1-2024-january-to-march

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2023) Global Report on Trafficking in Persons. Available at: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/press/releases/2023/January/global-report-on-trafficking-in-persons-2022.html

Polaris Project (2020) National Human Trafficking Hotline Data. Available at: https://polarisproject.org/2020-us-national-human-trafficking-hotline-statistics/

Veritone (2023) Combatting Human Trafficking: How AI Revolutionizes the Fight. Available at: https://humantraffickingsearch.org/resource/combatting-human-trafficking/ 

Anti-Human Trafficking Intelligence Initiative (2024) Data. Available at: https://followmoneyfightslavery.org/

Harris, K.J. and Franchino-Olsen, H., 2022. Predictive Analytics: A Novel Approach to Early Prevention of Human Trafficking. In Paths to the Prevention and Detection of Human Trafficking (pp. 85-105). IGI Global. 

Malpass, A., Garbers, K., Saunders, L., Horwood, J., McLeod, H., Anderson, E. and Farr, M., 2024. Overcoming digital exclusion during the COVID-19 pandemic: Impact of mobile technology for survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking–A mixed method study of survivors and support service provider views. Journal of Human Trafficking, 10(3), pp.445-464.