Disinformation and Human Trafficking

We investigate the overlap of disinformation and human trafficking as the critical point where false information becomes a direct weapon for traffickers to recruit, control, and exploit vulnerable people.

We look at how traffickers weaponise information disorder. They do not just use it to lure victims with fake job scams; they use it to isolate victims once they are trafficked, convincing them that authorities will deport or harm them if they seek help.

Global refugee agencies note that traffickers lean harder on digital platforms and false narratives to identify and groom potential victims (UNHCR, 2023).

Our research focuses on unravelling this nexus. We train frontline anti-trafficking units to recognise the signs of digital coercion. We also provide advisory services to help international organisations update their safeguarding protocols to include digital security and information literacy.

By treating disinformation as a core piece of the trafficking puzzle, we develop innovative solutions that disrupt the traffickers' ability to hide in the shadows of the internet.