The role of technology in the fight against human trafficking: Reflections on privacy and data protection concerns

Over the past decade, policy makers, academics and activists have looked into solutions within the realm of technology as a means of stepping up the fight against human trafficking while ensuring a high level of protection of the victims. Even though different types of technology might be effective in the context of crime prevention, investigation or prosecution (whether national or transnational) and victim protection, such processes inevitably raise significant concerns particularly in relation to privacy and data protection. This article aims to offer an introduction to these challenges in order to trigger a much-needed dialogue in this regard. After outlining key terms and main provisions concerning privacy and data protection, the present article then explores three ways in which technological developments can contribute to combatting human trafficking – location tracking, data collection and drones –, through these it highlights the respective privacy and data protection concerns and attempts to offer ways forward

Trafficking in human beings as an enterprise:: Highlighting key questions about data shortage on the business side

Researchers and policymakers face a shortage of data on the business side of human trafficking. This inevitably leads to problems when trying to combat this crime. Questions such as: who is involved in trafficking, how do they operate, what is their relationship with organised crime groups (or other traffickers and third parties) remain unanswered. The purpose of this article is to harvest the knowledge on what we know about trafficking as a criminal enterprise and, in turn, encourage further research. The article also aims to show that the challenges encountered by researchers

Trafficking in human beings as an enterprise::Highlighting key questions about data shortage on the business side

Researchers and policymakers face a shortage of data on the business side of human trafficking. This inevitably leads to problems when trying to combat this crime. Questions such as: who is involved in trafficking, how do they operate, what is their relationship with organised crime groups (or other traffickers and third parties) remain unanswered. The purpose of this article is to harvest the knowledge on what we know about trafficking as a criminal enterprise and, in turn, encourage further research. The article also aims to show that the challenges encountered by researchers