Data Analysis Worksheet

Question 1

Has Google advanced any ingenuity that does not include court ordered applications, or warrants from law enforcement to address the rising concern of human trafficking?

The aim was to conclude if Google take action only when mandatory by court ordered ruling initiated by enforcement

Question 2

Given Google’s proprietorship of several platforms among other abilities, as well as web search and email do you consider that there are vast prospects to underwrite the fight against human trafficking?

The goal was to make a determination if Google has the resources of tracking anyone at any time, or have initiated any capabilities to create a list of hot words, or other red flags that may be probed as it relates to criminality?

Question 3

It is well determined that human traffickers utilize more advanced technology to develop their illegal organizations. What advances has Google put forth to hinder such illicit interests?

Global advocates such as Ashton Kutcher, Booz Allen and Bradley Myles of the Polaris Project, has worked to fortify the U.S. national crusade against human trafficking through policy promotion throughout the US utilizing a wide range of programs and anti-trafficking hotlines (West, 2022; NACO.org, 2023). How has Google helped law enforcement bridge the gap between law enforcement, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, and humanitarian understanding and proficiencies?

Question 4

Has Google's data-driven approach made any new investments into data analytics of preceding trafficking cases that have been thwarted to possibly assist in new cases regarding how criminal traffickers interconnect and travel?

The purpose was to determine if Google has formed a specialized unit, or divisions in which the primary focus is to aid in the fight against human trafficking? Organizations such as LexisNexis, and Booz Allen use the considerable data they have access to track terrorist financing (Silverman, 2023).

Question 5

What monitoring apprehensions are you aware of, or foresee will preclude Google in formulating future plans as an active partner with law enforcement regarding human trafficking?

As it stands privacy laws aid both law enforcement and the criminal although the same laws protect law-abiding citizens, criminals like human traffickers can use these laws to their benefit to inhibit Google from tracking them (State.gov, 2021).

Question 1

Google joined the Polaris Project in 2013 to provide data without obstruction to support their efforts to prevent human trafficking. At the same time, data mining is a massive internal undertaking, and therefore Google does not publicize our part in the expectation that traffickers will continue to use our services. If criminals knew about our capabilities, they would move their online efforts to sites like Onion or BOR within the Dark Web. For this reason, Google does not advertise our abilities.

Question 2

As I stated, we at Google are working carefully with the Polaris Project. However, Google has yet to form initiatives centered on GPS tracking since there are vast privacy concerns. Regrettably, we are obstructed in some regards since the same laws protect people like you, and I also protect these criminals, that is, until they are apprehended.

Question 3

In the Gmail sector, we have unquestionably enhanced our spam and fraud proficiencies that aid in apprehending predatory offenders. Traffickers employ s lot of work to locate victims, as I’m sure you’ve seen on television, using means such as email and chatrooms. Google unquestionably screens these criminal-type spaces for key hot words and contacts the appropriate law enforcement agencies. With the use of warrants, we have far more latitude into allowable data we can track and make available.

Question 4

We have several dedicated working parties for human trafficking, drugs, and terrorist financing. We scrutinize the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) list and the sanction lists regarding other nations and track accounts with known associations with criminal activities. More than a few protocols are in place that rule our undertakings here and establish whom we must inform when and if we come across relevant information. For more than ten years, Google’s ability to track human trafficking has been a enormous undertaking.

Question 5

There are privacy laws that affect what steps Google can take when monitoring the data that goes through our systems. Unfortunately, I can’t divulge secrets, but I can say that we have the ability to do more, but are restricted by some court cases such as Carpenter v U.S., which precludes Google from turning over specific data to governmental agencies without a valid warrant. Another case, Griswold v. CT, also upheld a right to privacy for even criminals prior to being lawfully convicted of a crime. That being said, there is still room for progress with what Google is presently doing as the laws change. In fact, President Biden signed the Countering Human Trafficking Act 2022 into law, which Google has started evaluating to conclude what additional rights Google may have to support the fight. I really believe that your proposal presented is actually in line with our recent discussions.