Darkwebathon Focuses on Uncovering Actionable Intel for Human Trafficking Related Crimes on the Dark Web


Written by Jennifer Moreau


Anti-Human Trafficking Intelligence Initiative (ATII) and CipherTrace are co-hosting a five-day virtual hackathon event, called the Darkwebathon, with the goal of investigating data from the Dark web and uncovering actionable intelligence that can be used to effectively handle real-world cases involving human trafficking crimes. All intel will be turned over to law enforcement agencies immediately following the event – making this a crucial part of appropriately highlighting the individuals, organizations, and sites that are exploiting our most vulnerable.


Using the ATII licensed platform, Hades, participants will identify and profile potential traffickers. Outside of the event, ATII uses Hades, in a much larger capacity as a way to detect child exploitation, CSAM, drugs, weapons, fraud, mixers/washers, money laundering or other illicit activity – in addition to human trafficking.


Thousands of leads were generated by a variety of automated methods to enable the participant teams to further collect intelligence in an easy-to-understand report. As part of a full-collaboration effort, many companies have generously offered their technology and data platforms for the participants to use, in conjunction with Hades. From December 6-10, 2021, the five-day Darkwebathon event will put the spotlight on the most innovative technologies and APIs, from blockchain and artificial intelligence to big data representing fundamental innovation that investigators can build strong cases with. Major companies like CipherTrace, Constella Intelligence, Maltego Technologies, and Hunchly, will be training participants on their software, making this a valuable part of the event for participants that otherwise would have never been able to try out top-level technology without a cost.


“To find criminals on the dark web, you must have context to unmask whoever is truly behind the mask. The Darkwebathon will provide participants the opportunity to explore multiple data sources, allowing them to interact and compare across these sources in a simple easy to use environment.”

commented Larry Cameron, CISO of ATII.


ATII is working together with industry data experts to equip law enforcement and federal officials with tools and evidence-based actionable intelligence to address the highly challenging and dynamic nature of cybercrimes on the dark web, particularly CSAM. The event is fiscally sponsored by thought leaders in the industry, such as CipherTrace, MinervaAI, University of New Haven, Constella Intelligence, pipl and Blockchain Intelligence Group. Thousands of dollars of awards for the participants are being donated by ManchesterCF, OSINT Combine, TWELVE, and ADF Solutions.


The statistics on human trafficking globally show an astonishing and alarming impact with the International Labor Organization estimating that there are 40.3 million victims of human trafficking globally and that forced labor and human trafficking is a $150 billion industry worldwide. As public and private organizations continue to collaborate in the creation of a uniform front to fight human trafficking, we will see a true impact in the recovery of victims and prosecution of traffickers.


For more information about the event click HERE