The European Union has taken a significant step in combating wildlife crime by designating the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) as the first formal wildlife conservation organization to hold the status of 'Trusted Flagger.' This designation mandates online platforms to respond to and prioritize content identified as illegal by IFAW.

The recognition comes from the French Digital Services Coordinator, the Regulatory Authority for Audiovisual and Digital Communication (ARCOM).

The Trusted Flagger provision is part of the EU Digital Services Act, which establishes clear responsibilities and accountabilities for online platforms regarding illegal content.

Organizations granted this status are empowered to notify digital platforms of illegal online content in specific areas of expertise, which, in the case of IFAW, pertains to wildlife crime.

IFAW states that its focus will be on wildlife cybercrime, particularly the illegal sale of exotic pets, including protected species of snakes and parrots, predominantly on social media and e-commerce sites.

The organization highlights the challenges in identifying legal versus illegal animal trade, which often overwhelms non-specialists.

According to Eugénie Pimont, Wildlife Cybercrime Officer at IFAW, the prioritization of flagged posts is expected to expedite the removal of harmful wildlife advertisements, thereby diminishing their reach and influence.

Pimont further explained that this initiative would encourage digital platforms to take preventative measures against the trade of protected species, given that non-compliance may lead to significant fines.

This new mechanism is expected to complement IFAW's ongoing collaborations with online platforms worldwide.

The illegal wildlife trade is reported to generate billions of dollars annually, with millions of wild animals captured, bred, or sold each year to fulfill consumer demand.

Reports indicate that wildlife crime is often directly linked to other organized criminal activities, such as firearms and drug trafficking, presenting a low-risk, high-reward opportunity for criminal gangs.

IFAW notes that many wild animals are taken from their natural habitats, often suffering dire conditions during transportation, leading to high mortality rates.

The organization urges public awareness regarding the illegal wildlife trade, which can involve animals that are poached and sold without the buyers' knowledge of their origins.

The new Trusted Flagger designation represents a strategic effort to enhance the accountability of online platforms in addressing wildlife crime.