Google Joining Fight Against Drug Cartels

Several readers sent word that Google has announced its intention to start fighting drug cartels and other 'illicit networks.' According to a post on the official blog, the company thinks modern technology plays a key role in helping to 'expose and dismantle global criminal networks, which depend on secrecy and discretion in order to function.' They're holding a summit in Los Angeles this week, which aims to 'bring together a full-range of stakeholders, from survivors of organ trafficking, sex trafficking and forced labor to government officials, dozens of engineers, tech leaders and product managers from Google and beyond. Through the summit, which lasts until Wednesday, we hope to discover ways that technology can be used to expose and disrupt these networks as a whole—and to put some of these ideas into practice.'

Comments

Re:Next?

[Jeremiah Cornelius]

'expose and dismantle global criminal networks, which depend on secrecy and discretion in order to function.'

http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1227431--hsbc-laundered-billions-of-dollars-for-mexican-drug-cartels-senate-investigation-finds

http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/21434-dea-laundered-money-for-colombian-narco.html

At 300 Billion in annual illegal narcotics business? You can bet the real profiters own banks. And won't be targeted by Google's little step into untrustworthyness.

Re:If we start filtering...

[Merls the Sneaky]

Caffeine would be the most prevalent.

Re:Miserable Failure

[Nimey]

Are you ignorant enough of history to think that Obama entered office in January 2007?

https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/29/technology/29google.html?_r=1

The "miserable failure" here is you.

Re:Who are the real "Drug Cartel" ?

[Taco Cowboy]

1) The global prescription drug revenue is not even $1 trillion

Oh, this _is_ cute !!

First of all, the total expenditure of LEGAL drugs is MUCH MORE than mere "prescription drugs" bills

For example over-the-counter non-prescription drugs, such as Aspirin, are still being made by oligopolies of the Legal Drug Industry, such as Bayer

Although there are generic brands of Aspirin, Bayer is still raking in truckloads of $$$ from Aspirin

Another example - Many drugs expenditures are not included under your "under 1 trillion dollar global prescription drug expenditure" category because they are being used in hospitals (for example, anesthesiological drugs that are being used in surgical theatre), by military medics in conflict areas around the world, prescription drugs that are being sold to American buyers in border towns in Mexico, and so on

And secondly, your "under one trillion dollar" figure is suspicious, at best - because the figure you quote is only from USA/Europe/Japan.

You have conveniently omitted the figure from countries such as India, or the whole African continent, or China, or Latin America

Those countries may not be spending as much on "prescription drugs" simply because a lot of those so-called "prescription drugs" are not classified under the "prescription" criteria in many countries around the world.
 

Re:Who are the real "Drug Cartel" ?

[the_humeister]

Here you go

Global pharmaceutical sales are expected to grow by 5% to 7% in 2011 to around $880 billion, compared with a rise of 4% to 5% this year, thanks to robust growth in emerging markets, especially China, as well as new innovative treatments, according to IMS Health. The headwinds pushing back against that growth include budget pressures in the developed world and patent expirations.

The 17 so-called "pharmerging countries," which include such nations as Brazil, Russia, India, Venezuela, Poland and the Ukraine, are forecast to see their pharmaceutical spending grow at a 15% to 17% rate in 2011, to between $170 billion and $180 billion overall. Especially impressive is the rise in what is now the world's third-largest pharmaceutical market: China. Spending there is predicted to grow by 25% to 27% to more than $50 billion next year.

Re:Who are the real "Drug Cartel" ?

[LordLimecat]

Comparing medical drug monopolies in the US to cartels in mexico displays a shocking ignorance. You may use phrases like "these monopolies are killing us" metaphorically, but in Mexico it isnt so metaphorical. Whens the last time these "vultures" killed several reporters for reporting on them? Whens the last time they killed local police with explosives?

The utter lack of perspective from so many in the first world is a little depressing. You realize how great your life is in the US, that you can actually GO to a hospital, that you dont have to worry about a drug cartel firebombing your house? That we have freedom of the press here?

But no, the monopolies here-- not the cartels in mexico-- are the REAL monsters, what with their high prices and all.

Re:Who are the real "Drug Cartel" ?

[Taco Cowboy]

Let me repeat:

A. Many so-called "prescription drugs" are NOT classified as "prescription drugs" in many countries, including China

B. In countries such as China, one can purchase "prescription drugs" (those that _have_been_classified_ as prescription drugs) without any prescription, thus, such sales do not end up under your "under-one-trillion prescription drug expenditure globally" figure