The not so dark side of the darknet: a qualitative study

Jeyong Jung,Mihnea Mirea,Victoria Wang

doi:10.1057/s41284-018-0150-5

Jeyong Jung, Mihnea Mirea + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1057/s41284-018-0150-5

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Abstract

In recent years, the Darknet has become one of the most discussed topics in cyber security circles. Current academic studies and media reports tend to highlight how the anonymous nature of the Darknet is used to facilitate criminal activities. This paper reports on a recent research in four Darknet forums that reveals a different aspect of the Darknet. Drawing on our qualitative findings, we suggest that many users of the Darknet might not perceive it as intrinsically criminogenic, despite their acknowledgement of various kinds of criminal activity in this network. Further, our research participants emphasised on the achievement of constructive socio-political values through the use of the Darknet. This achievement is enabled by various characteristics that are rooted in the Darknet’s technological structure, such as anonymity, privacy, and the use of cryptocurrencies. These characteristics provide a wide range of opportunities for good as well as for evil.

Highlights

The Darknet has become, in the last few years, one of the most discussed topics in cyber security circles
Drawing on our qualitative findings, we suggest that many users of the Darknet might not perceive it as intrinsically criminogenic, despite their acknowledgement of various kinds of criminal activity in this network
Our research participants emphasised on the achievement of constructive socio-political values through the use of the Darknet. This achievement is enabled by various characteristics that are rooted in the Darknet’s technological structure, such as anonymity, privacy, and the use of cryptocurrencies

Summary

Introduction

The Darknet has become, in the last few years, one of the most discussed topics in cyber security circles. Two example newspapers headlines are ‘Dark Net may pose ‘disruptive risk’ to internet sector’ (Samson 2017) and ‘Dark web browser Tor is overwhelmingly used for crime, says study’ (McGoogan 2016). This negative perception of the Darknet is taken by governments and ordinary citizens at large, which may drive unnecessary moral panics and misguided policies (Murray 2014). The previous head of the UK GCHQ, for example, has likened the Dark Net to the Wild West, claiming that it needs to be controlled (Omand 2016)

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