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.