In this episode of Privacy Files, we continue our multipart series on the dark web. We examine the complexities of dark web crimes and discuss their far-reaching impacts.
To help us navigate this subject, we talk to Tammy Harper. Tammy is a Senior Threat Analyst, Dark Web Investigator and Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR) consultant.
Dark web crimes are surprisingly nuanced. While not an exhaustive deep dive, we explore some of the most salient angles.
We kick off the episode by looking at the struggle to balance anonymity with accountability. Many people use the dark web for privacy, but there are also those who use that privacy to commit crimes. Can privacy be maintained while still allowing law enforcement to do its job?
Next, we cover a variety of dark web topics such as evolving encryption technologies (and backdoors), the global impact of dark web crimes, and insider threats and corporate espionage.
One of the most fascinating topics, is the psychological impacts of dark web crimes. A 2020 study found a link between mental health issues and dark web addiction. The dark web can also be a breeding ground for cyberbullying and online harassment.
In the last half of the episode, we get into how dark web crimes have eroded trust in legitimate online services. We follow that up with the ethics and responsibility of technology providers, collaborative approaches to dark web mitigation, and how the dark web is a reflection of societal issues.
