Question 6 of 8

Does your service allow users to post goods and services for sale?

Posting goods and services is a user-to-user service functionality allowing users to post content dedicated to offering goods and services for sale. This does not include paid-for advertisements but may serve the function of allowing users to promote goods or services. Further information is available in the Register of Risks glossary.

Posting of goods and services for sale

Potential perpetrators may try to promote illegal goods or services by posting them for sale using this functionality. Often illegal items such as drugs and firearms are posted for sale using code names. In certain contexts, the ability to post goods or services for sale, such as through user-generated advertisements, also enables potential perpetrators to advertise and broadcast the sexual services of adults in exploitative environments. The risk of harm can be increased if your services also allows users to make online payments directly.

Associated kinds of priority illegal content

  • Sexual exploitation of adults
  • Human trafficking
  • Fraud and financial services offences
  • Drugs and psychoactive substances
  • Firearms, knives and other weapons

Sexual exploitation of adults

The ability to post goods or services for sale, such as through advertisements, also enables perpetrators to advertise and broadcast the sexual services of adults in exploitative environments.

Human trafficking

The ability to post goods and services for sale can be used in human trafficking offence. This is particularly prevalent on adult service websites.

Fraud and financial services offences

The functionality of posting goods and services for sale can enable fraudsters to trick users into paying for goods and services that do not exist or are less valuable than described.

Drugs and psychoactive substances

The ability to post content, in particular images and emojis, as well as post goods and services for sale, have been identified as important functionalities in the supply of drugs and psychoactive substances online as these can be used to promote drugs and signpost potential buyers. User-generated content searching is a popular way for users to find illicit drugs and psychoactive substances. Menus or images depicting the products for sale can be posted on services, or in closed user groups.

Firearms, knives and other weapons

The ability to post goods or services for sale enables users to sell, market and purchase firearms and weapons, while user-generated content searching can allow them to find firearms and weapons.