Disruptive Endeavours

Ethical Guidance for Civil Society Organizations Monitoring and Responding to Online Trafficking in Endangered Species

Internet sites on the open web host some of the largest markets for wildlife animals and their parts. Even though tech firms are aware of these crimes, they are focused on growth at any cost and have little incentive to remove illegal content. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies are either unwilling or unable to conduct an adequate response.

As illegal wildlife traders face little impunity for their crimes, civil society actors such as nonprofits, conservationists, journalists and academics are stepping in to monitor, report, engage and carry out complex online investigations. However, there are no universally accepted ethical standards or regulations to guide them.

ACCO, in partnership with GITOC, has developed this ethical framework for civil society actors planning to examine illicit behavior online, where there is a minefield of privacy and accountability issues, as well as potential risks, to consider.

This framework takes a look at:

• GDPR regulations

• Informed consent and voluntary participation

• Privacy and confidentiality

• Active monitoring vs passive surveillance

• Holding and disclosure of personal information

• Guarding against accidental harm

• Protecting staff and vulnerable groups

• Reducing risk of cultural bias

• Ethical processes and operations

Through this collaboration, civil society organizations will be able to protect wildlife from transnational criminal networks and create an Internet that safe, fair and upholds the rule of law.