There is evidence that mobile phones, social media, instant messaging, and other modern forms of communication have given human traffickers new tools with which to recruit, coordinate, and smuggle. But can technology – and smartphone apps in particular – help prevent vulnerable people avoid or even escape the traffickers' clutches?
BRUSSELS – Technology, the saying goes, is a double-edged sword. But when it comes to human trafficking, that has yet to be proven. There is evidence that mobile phones, social media, instant messaging, and other modern forms of communication have given traffickers new tools for recruitment, coercion, and exploitation. But can technology – and apps in particular – help prevent vulnerable people from being lured and help victims?
BRUSSELS – Technology, the saying goes, is a double-edged sword. But when it comes to human trafficking, that has yet to be proven. There is evidence that mobile phones, social media, instant messaging, and other modern forms of communication have given traffickers new tools for recruitment, coercion, and exploitation. But can technology – and apps in particular – help prevent vulnerable people from being lured and help victims?