Big Take cover image

Big Take

How Facebook, Tinder and Airbnb Are Being Used for Sex Trafficking in Colombia

Mar 3, 2025
Antonia Mufarech, a Bloomberg reporter with firsthand experience investigating sex trafficking in Colombia, joins the conversation to shed light on a troubling issue. She discusses how dating apps like Tinder and platforms like Facebook and Airbnb are being exploited for human trafficking. The podcast reveals alarming statistics, such as recent fatalities linked to these apps, and highlights the challenges tech companies face in policing their platforms. Antonia emphasizes the urgent need for better safety measures to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
17:05

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The U.S. Embassy's warning underscores the safety risks of dating apps in Colombia, particularly following recent suspicious deaths of American travelers.
  • Despite efforts by tech companies to prevent exploitation, gaps in user safety allow criminal activities to persist, highlighting the need for greater accountability.

Deep dives

Warning Signs for Travelers

The U.S. Embassy in Colombia issued a warning for American travelers regarding the dangers associated with dating apps, following a series of suspicious deaths of U.S. citizens in popular tourist areas like Medellin. Eight American men were reported killed in two months, often after meeting women online and going on dates. The embassy advised travelers to exercise caution by vetting their matches, meeting in public spaces, and informing others of their whereabouts. This advisory highlights emerging safety concerns tied to online dating in the region, prompting Tinder to issue a rare caution to its users.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode