NCJ Number
191276
Date Published
2000
Length
39 pages
Annotation
This report presents the agenda and summaries of the sessions at a conference held November 30 and December 1, 2000, to examine information technology in relation to transnational crime, crime prevention, and corruption.
Abstract
The international, multidisciplinary forum addressed issues relating to the control of information technology from abuse by criminals and corrupt individuals without losing the economic and democratizing benefits of the new technology. The panels used case materials and the experiences of government and business to assess various dimensions of organized crime and corruption. Themes included how information technology facilitates transnational crime and corruption and how trends in information technology were affecting transnational crime and law enforcement. Sessions also focused on how transnational crime affects current and new information technology, businesses, and institutions; whether new regulations in the information technology area will cause more harm than good; and whether regulation will affect democratic processes and economic development. The conference participants concluded that information technology was enabling transnational criminals and corrupt individuals to function more effectively and that transnational criminals and terrorists used the full range of technical means to keep their communications protected from law enforcement. In addition, information technology used by transnational criminals can undermine institutions and even governments, and public-private partnerships are important in regulating information technology. Finally, regulation of technology must balance the rights and civil liberties of individuals with the need to address the harm caused by transnational criminals and corrupt individuals. Footnotes and moderator and speaker biographies