Human Trafficking & Technology Event at the European Parliament

IMG 1375 Copy In December, the Libertas Council co-hosted a conversation on Developing Guidelines on the Intersection of Human Trafficking and Technology at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Charlie Weimers and MEP Lukas Mandl hosted the event, and Member of the Austrian Parliament, Dr. Gudrun Kugler, delivered the keynote address. This conversation brought together leaders in politics (national and EU-level), business, advocacy, technology, and education, as well as child protection experts, to explore the challenges and opportunities technology presents in the fight against human trafficking.

While technology benefits society, perpetrators can use technology to exploit the vulnerable. A clear example came out of the panel session focused on Trafficking for the Purpose of Pornography Production. Digital materials documenting a survivor’s abuse can remain online, providing financial profits to the trafficker long after the physical exploitation ends, and perpetuating the trauma of the crime committed against them. Trafficking is a lucrative illegal business. IMG 2021 Copy

The panel on Traffickers’ Use of Technology to Recruit, Groom, and Coerce Victims stressed that an agreed-upon framework to guide legislation is necessary. Technology is evolving faster than even the most dedicated parents’ diligence. A consensus developed about a guideline focused on requiring age verification to protect children from adult online content.

In considering how to utilize technology in the fight against human trafficking, from intercepting traffickers to locating victims and eventually prosecuting the traffickers, the panel discussion on Government and Civil Society’s Use of Technology to Combat Trafficking explored the familiar challenge and tension of data privacy and potential of government overreach/misuse. Creating guidelines is not a simple task, especially when attempting to maintain an international perspective. Agreement on the need and urgency of a common framework is clear, and the conversations in the EU Parliament were a positive step forward.

This discussion is part of a series of working groups to develop a set of guidelines on the intersection of human trafficking and technology. The goal is to establish common, exemplary guidelines to help countries create a “safe, predictable, trusted online environment” (2024 Digital Services Act), hold traffickers (individuals and companies benefiting from human trafficking) accountable, and protect survivors.Related articles:

Together against technology-enabled human trafficking by MP Gudrun Kugler