Internet giants Facebook, Google profiting from 'pop-up' brothels: Report
Internet giants Google and Facebook have been accused by the Britain's National Crime Agency (NCA) for profiting from 'pop-up' brothels running on their platforms. In its report, the NCA said that firms such as Google and Facebook are "making profits" from the trafficking of vulnerable women, many of whom end up at "pop-up brothels" that have sprung up across Britain. Here are the details.
Internet giants have become "key enablers" for "pop up brothels"
The NCA said these Internet companies have become the "key enabler for the sexual exploitation of trafficked victims in the UK". "Pop-up" brothels have been discovered across Britain including Cornwall, Cambridge, Swindon and in the Peak District. According to The Sunday Times, they have also found three such sex brothels "operating last week in luxury flats near Hyde Park, central London."
PM May urges Internet companies to act against trafficking-related content
"As the hosts of user-generated content, internet companies can and should be doing more to prevent trafficking-related material from appearing on their platforms", said UK Prime Minister Theresa May in a statement issued by her office.
Britain to consider new laws on sex trafficking
Taking cues from internet regulations in the US, UK is also considering new laws on sex trafficking. The US legislation, once it passes through the Senate, will make companies liable if they "knowingly assist, support or facilitate" content that leads to trafficking. This means, tech companies like Google, Facebook could be criminally liable for hosting trafficking-related content and acting as enablers of sexual exploitation.
