Deep Web

Beyond the websites that can be found on the World Wide Web via search machines lies another network: the Deep Web. This is where, in 2011, the digital black market ‘Silk Road’ could to be found, a website where drug dealers and buyers could operate anonymously. The platform was controlled by Dread Pirate Roberts (DPR), a person or organisation that spoke out against regulated markets and state surveillance. Nobody knew who was behind the pseudonym until October 23 when 29-year-old Internet idealist Ross Ulbricht was arrested by the FBI. To this day, Ulbricht denies having anything whatsoever to do with the DPR. The event led to a worldwide protest and intensive discussions about data protection and internet surveillance. Filmmaker Alex Winter follows the story of Silk Road, from its inception to the arrest and defence of Ulbricht. His parents, lawyers, cryptologists and experts comment on the case.