Harassment markets - Matthews Lab

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2025-01-21 08:00:03

Disclaimer: The following discussion is purely theoretical and should not be taken as an endorsement of illegal activities. It is written as a starting point to understand how criminal activity—beyond vending drugs on the deep web—might be organized. These models can help inform how legislation and law enforcement responses evolve to stay ahead of such crimes.

The Internet famously reveals the darker side of humanity. Under the veil of anonymity, people can become anyone they want, often doing things online they would never do in real life. While anonymity is crucial for privacy, security, and free speech, it also makes policing far more difficult. In this context, privacy-enhancing technologies have been used to bypass laws. One notorious example is Silk Road, a revolutionary marketplace for all kinds of goods and services—drugs being its main commodity, though it also sold other items (even hot sauce).

A popular notion has long circulated that “hit men” operate on the deep web, feeding the myth that the dark web enables any kind of criminal activity, regardless of practicality. While the idea isn’t entirely absurd, it’s important to “walk before running.”

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