Policing the Dark Web: The double-edged sword of anonymity online

The Dark Web is a subset of the Internet that can only be accessed using special software such as the Tor browser. The Dark Web is often linked with illicit activities, such as the trading of narcotics and firearms and, is a haven for criminal organizations and child abusers. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are some of the agencies within the US government that have made an enormous effort when it comes to fighting crime on the Dark Web and have been quite successful in that regard. At the same time, the Dark Web is also used for legitimate purposes by whistleblowers, journalists and, those who use anonymous technology to protect their freedom of expression and privacy. This thesis discusses the double-edged sword that anonymity on the Internet can be and for that purpose compares two cases that demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of the Dark Web. The goal of this research is to examine the feasibility of the US government fighting crime on the Dark Web and to examine whether the Dark Web should be securitized. The content of the thesis is analyzed based on the theoretical framework of securitization to gain a more detailed understanding of the methods that can be taken to counter the emerging threats that arise in cyberspace. The results of this research reveal that the US government has been quite successful in fighting crime on the Dark Web in recent years and is a leader in the international community in this regard. Nevertheless, anonymity on the Internet remains a complex phenomenon, therefore it can be difficult to find the right ways to solve crimes committed with such technology. The question of whether the Dark Web should be securitized ultimately hinges on finding the right balance between the need to safeguard people ́s privacy and the need to enforce the law to combat illicit activities.

Author dc:creator

• Rakel Óskarsdóttir 2001-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskóli Íslands

• Stjórnmálafræði
• Netið

Language dc:language.iso

is

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1946/43195

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/43195