WHITEFISH, MT — The ever-evolving digital landscape has reshaped nearly every facet of our lives. From how we communicate to how we work and play, technology’s reach is undeniably profound. However, every revolution has its dark side. As technology grows, so do the platforms and methods used by human traffickers. But with the launch of the HT Safeguard app by Montana-based nonprofit DeliverFund, the tide may be about to turn.

The Digital Landscape of Trafficking

Human trafficking isn’t a new issue, but its methodologies have shifted with time. Modern traffickers employ online platforms to target and groom potential victims, particularly impressionable youths. Websites, social media, online games, and dating apps have all become tools in their sinister toolkit. It’s a sobering thought for anyone with a digital presence, especially parents.

Studies have shown that a significant portion of trafficking victims is first approached online. The perpetrators build trust, often posing as peers, and then exploit that trust for their malicious ends. This digital angle to a timeless crime requires a digital solution, and that’s where DeliverFund and their new app come in.

Introducing HT Safeguard

Designed as a user-friendly interface, HT Safeguard empowers the public by granting access to an extensive database of over three billion data points of interest related to potential trafficking activities. The app’s premise is simple: allow users to cross-reference contact details, such as phone numbers or email addresses, against this vast repository of information.

Nic McKinley, DeliverFund’s founder, emphasizes the significance of this initiative: “Law enforcement does an incredible job, but they’re stretched thin. We believe in a holistic approach where the community gets involved. The HT Safeguard app is our way of handing some power back to the people, and reducing a parents workload by providing them with parental intelligence.”

How Does the App Work?

Once a user inputs a phone number or email address, the app draws upon its extensive database. Should there be a match suggesting potential ties to trafficking or related suspicious activities, the user can flag this information. 

This isn’t just a passive action; flagged data becomes a valuable asset, funneled to DeliverFund’s team of analysts and their partners in law enforcement for future analysis.

Furthermore, the app is built with user privacy in mind. While it’s a potent tool for detection, it also ensures that user data and interactions remain confidential, striking a balance between vigilance and individual rights. DeliverFund took a privacy-first approach to building this technology, and so has zero knowledge of who searches what phone number, or what user reports what information.

The Power of Crowdsourcing

One of the app’s standout features is its ability to harness the collective might of its users. McKinley’s vision revolves around communal defense. “There’s strength in numbers,” he states, “and by leveraging that, we can cover more ground, detect more threats, and save more lives.”

Crowdsourcing, a concept popularized in the last decade, is the act of enlisting the services of a large number of people, either paid or unpaid, typically via the internet. In the context of HT Safeguard, it means amassing a vast network of watchful eyes, all looking out for signs of trafficking activities.

A Glimpse into DeliverFund

It’s worth diving a little deeper into the nonprofit behind this venture. Founded with a mission to combat human trafficking at its roots, DeliverFund combines technology with actionable intelligence. Their track record is commendable, with multiple successful interventions and over 650  law enforcement partners. .

While the app is their latest venture, their commitment has spanned over a decade, during which they’ve fine-tuned their approach and deepened their understanding of the trafficking landscape.

The Future

As technology continues to reshape our world, it’s crucial that tools and measures evolve in tandem to counteract its misuses. The HT Safeguard app represents a significant stride in the right direction, marking a union of tech and purpose.

The app serves as a reminder: while technology can be part of the problem, with the right intent and innovation, it can also be a significant part of the solution.