Role of Networked Technologies in Facilitating and Combating Human Trafficking

Harshkumar Pravinbhai Ahir

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

The exploitation of human beings is a highly lucrative business for organized criminal groups. It is an illicit market that affects millions of people worldwide. With traffickers making an estimated $150 billion a year, human trafficking deprives people of their dignity and basic rights. Networked technologies – including cell phones, social media, and the internet – are altering the landscape of this illicit business by changing how information flows and how people communicate. The impact of this phenomenon is mixed. On one hand, technology makes many aspects of human trafficking more visible and more traceable. Yet, on the other, technology has also made the facilitation of sexual exploitation of human trafficking victims far easier for criminal networks. For instance, human traffickers are increasingly leveraging the internet and cell phones to attract buyers of trafficking victims, making the selling of sex more seamless (Pundina, 2013).There is a dearth of sound data on this emerging phenomenon and subsequently little is known about the real costs and benefits of technology’s role. For example, we do not know if there are more human trafficking victims as a result of technology, nor do we know if law enforcement can better identify perpetrators as a result of the technological traces they leave. Moreover, technology is spreading, and cell phones are reaching into the far corners of developing countries such as India where human trafficking is rampant. Thus, what is imperative is that we understand the role that it plays to develop innovative ways of using technology and learn to harbor this proliferation of technology as it is an important source for fighting back. This study explores the role of networked technologies in facilitating and combating human trafficking through surveys, questionnaires, interviews and explores two overarching aspects of human trafficking – how technology facilitates this crime and how technology is being used to combat it. The goal is to reach a deeper understanding of the problem and with this knowledge, explore the most effective resources and tools that can combat trafficking in light of this research’s findings.

Keywords

Combating, Trafficking, Human Trafficking, Networked Technologies, Internet Users, Facilitating

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 23. 3. 2020

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Ing. Jan Tyrychtr, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Economics and Management

Bachelor programme / field:
Systems Engineering and Informatics / Informatics