OSCE PA Annual Session 2024 - Side Event: Legislative Action to Prevent the Misuse of Technology for Trafficking in Human Beings

The event is available for live streaming. Watch the stream below.

Strengthening legislation to tackle technology-facilitated human trafficking

This side event will provide a platform to discuss legislative gaps and current, as well as potential, approaches to preventing and combating the misuse of technology in human trafficking. The event will focus on understanding how traffickers misuse technology, highlighting emerging trends, identifying gaps in current legislation, and sharing legislative approaches. It will also underscore the importance of international cooperation in combating this global scourge.

Addressing the issue: A key priority

Criminals are increasingly misusing technology at various stages of human trafficking. They use digital platforms to remain anonymous, target vulnerable individuals, and distribute illegal content worldwide. Emerging forms of exploitation include livestreaming sexual abuse and conducting forced online scams. The rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning adds complexity, as these technologies can significantly increase the scale of human trafficking crimes.

Legislative advancements

Significant laws have been enacted to improve online safety and combat technology-enabled human trafficking. For instance, the US enacted the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA) in 2018 to target websites that facilitate trafficking. The European Union's Digital Services Act, which became effective in 2024, imposes strict obligations on platforms to tackle illegal activities online. Australia's Online Safety Act, introduced in 2021, gives the eSafety Commissioner the authority to promptly remove harmful content. The UK Online Safety Act 2023 is a new set of laws that protects children and adults online. It places new responsibilities on social media companies and search services, increasing their accountability to ensure user safety on their platforms.

Raising awareness and collaboration

Understanding the evolving nature of these crimes is imperative for legislators and policymakers to develop robust legal frameworks. The expected outcomes of the side event include raising legislators' awareness about the misuse of technology in human trafficking, identifying legislative gaps and solutions, and improving collaboration between OSCE participating states and stakeholders. The discussions aim to result in a set of recommendations for legislative action.

The event will gather members of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, national and international lawmakers, human trafficking experts, as well as representatives from international organizations and NGOs.