The intersection between technology and transnational crime has emerged as a pressing concern among Bali Process Members and Observers. Transnational organised crime groups are increasingly leveraging technological advancements to facilitate criminal activities across borders, posing significant challenges for law enforcement agencies in detection and disruption.

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The convergence of technology and transnational crime is increasingly evident in the realms of trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling. Criminal networks now harness the reach and anonymity of digital platforms to recruit victims, advertise illicit services, and coordinate operations across borders with unprecedented efficiency. Social media and encrypted communication tools, in particular, provide traffickers with low-cost, high-impact means of expanding their activities while minimising risks of detection. The widespread use of fake identities, fraudulent documentation, and anonymous online accounts further shields traffickers from scrutiny, allowing them to exploit jurisdictional gaps and operate across multiple countries with relative impunity. As smartphones, social media, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies become more deeply embedded in daily life, the interconnections between organised crime, irregular migration, and digital technologies are intensifying, reshaping both the scale and complexity of the trafficking landscape and posing profound challenges for counter-trafficking efforts.

Yet, technology also holds enormous promise as a tool for combating trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling. Digital innovation has significantly enhanced opportunities for international cooperation, enabling law enforcement agencies to exchange intelligence, share best practices, and coordinate investigations in real time. Emerging technological tools, including machine learning algorithms, open-source intelligence platforms, and mobile applications, are increasingly used to detect online recruitment tactics, map trafficking routes, and identify suspicious behavioural patterns. Facial recognition, blockchain-based verification systems, and advanced data analytics are also being tested to improve victim identification and trace illicit financial flows. These innovations empower governments, NGOs, and law enforcement agencies to shift from reactive responses towards proactive disruption of trafficking networks. When combined with strong international legal frameworks and human rights–based approaches, technology can become not only a facilitator of crime but also a powerful force multiplier in the global fight against trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling.