A recent global crackdown on dark web marketplaces by international authorities led to the arrest of a record number of “dark web” drug traffickers, using the data obtained from several dark web websites shut down in recent years. This operation is called SpecTor, and it began in October 2021. International authorities used the data to trace the criminal networks behind the online sale of illegal drugs.
The operation resulted in the arrest of 288 people across the world on May 2, with 153 in the US alone. The authorities seized 850 kilograms of drugs, €50.48 million in cash and cryptocurrencies, and 117 firearms. It’s the biggest international operation targeting this kind of traffic on the darkest corners of the Internet – the ones most people never dwell on, and many don’t even know how to reach.
The dark web, also known as darknet, is an encrypted part of the Internet that cannot be found via conventional search engines and is only accessible through specialized tools that provide anonymity. The deep web is any part of the Internet that isn’t indexed by search engines, and it is massive, estimated to represent 90 to 95 percent of all the content online. Unlike deep web sites, websites on the dark web use additional encryption software that makes the location and identity of their users anonymous.
The dark web has been associated with illegal and unethical content that its creators or distributors want to keep out of the prying eyes of law enforcement. It’s known to host a flourishing network of marketplaces selling drugs, weapons, pornography, and other generally illegal products – including people’s personal data. Cryptocurrencies, though not directly linked to the dark web, are often used for transactions on websites on the dark net.
Calls to regulate the dark web and the use of cryptocurrencies on its websites have increased in recent years as illegal trades have exploded on the darknet. The combination of the data protection offered by the dark web and cryptocurrencies has encouraged a boom in illegal marketplaces on the darknet, according to the experts. However, accessing the dark web is not illegal, and some using the darknet might not do so with any illicit or unethical intention.
The dark web is used by dissidents, whistle blowers, journalists, and activists who might fear censorship and retaliation at home. Wiki Leaks, for example, is hosted on it. The dark web is a critical whistle blowing and communication tool that shields people from retribution or judgement in the workplace or community, and for individuals living under oppressive regimes that block large parts of the Internet or punish political dissent, it is a lifeline that provides access to information and protection from persecution.
In conclusion, the authorities are making efforts to combat the illegal activities on the dark web. However, the use of the dark web by people with legitimate concerns makes it challenging to regulate completely. The anonymity provided by the dark web is necessary for whistle blowers and activists, but it also provides an opportunity for criminals to operate without fear of detection. The challenge is to strike a balance between preserving the rights of people with legitimate concerns while curbing illegal activities on the dark web.
SOURCE: http://Giulia Carbonaro
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