Cyber Slavery: A Growing Transnational Crime

In a recent development, over 60 Indian nationals have been rescued from Myanmar, where they were victims of a disturbing new form of exploitation known as cyber slavery.

Understanding Cyber Slavery

1. Cyber slavery is a modern form of organized crime, where individuals are exploited through digital means under coercive or deceptive conditions.
2. It often involves trafficking skilled, tech-savvy youth across borders under the false promise of legitimate job opportunities.

Key Characteristics

1. Transnational in Nature
   1. Victims are often transported across countries, making it a cross-border human trafficking issue.
   2. It is driven by organized criminal networks operating in multiple regions.
2. Forms of Cyber Slavery
   1. Forced participation in cybercrimes, such as money laundering and cryptocurrency fraud.
   2. Involuntary involvement in online scams, including digital arrest scams and phishing schemes.
   3. Exploitation in the gig economy, where victims may be coerced into unpaid or low-paid digital labor.

Cyber slavery represents a serious threat not just to individual rights, but also to international security and digital integrity. The rescue of Indian nationals highlights the urgent need for international cooperation to combat this evolving crime.