This week, the bipartisan REPORT Act was signed into law, marking a significant step toward addressing online exploitation by closing critical gaps in our current enforcement systems and strengthening the tools available to law enforcement to effectively and efficiently investigate cases. There’s a distinct correlation between online exploitation and grooming for human trafficking. Increased regulations like the REPORT Act can mitigate the threat of human trafficking while ensuring better protections for children online.

We are hopeful that this legislation spurs similar action from tech companies, who have an obligation to ensure that their platforms don’t facilitate exploitation and address the gaps in child safety created by AI technology. 

Our organization remains committed to advocating for policies and initiatives that prioritize the protection, and support of human trafficking survivors as well as prevention of future exploitation. We will continue to urge global collaboration among government, tech and nonprofit stakeholders to ensure that victims of exploitation receive the justice and comprehensive support necessary to rebuild their lives.

Law360 quoted EverFree’s support of this major step: “We’ve witnessed an extreme rise in the creation and dissemination of AI-generated child sexual abuse material, including deepfakes, which underscores the need for tech companies to proactively combat exploitation and safeguard vulnerable populations.”