No safety net for the dark web

FOR many people, their experience of the internet is straightforward. They use it to search for information, send emails, order goods.

It has made our lives easier and more efficient. But there is a hidden seedy underbelly.

The dark web is unknown to the millions of people who innocently use the net every day.

It takes special software to access it – beyond the needs of the vast majority.

Once in, users are granted access to a terrifying and lawless environment.

The dark web is the shadow of the regular internet. Here, revelling in anonymity, twisted and criminal users can discuss, trade and search for whatever takes their fancy.

The dark web’s presence looms large in one of the most disturbing stories of recent years.

In Italy, a young British model was lured to a fake photoshoot where she was kidnapped, bound and drugged.

EVIL

She was held for a week by her evil captors. Then, incredibly, she was auctioned for sale.

Mercifully, police acted swiftly and she’s now safe. But the wider issue is the growing threat of the dark web.

The authorities find it hard enough to patrol the regular internet.

YouTube has recently had thousands of reports of inappropriate behaviour – hardly any of them have been acted on, claim its own volunteer watchdogs. But the dark web is almost impossible to regulate.

We recognise freedom of expression and a right to anonymity is legitimate and important.

This newspaper prides itself on free speech. We abide by strict and detailed regulation.

It may be difficult to impose such a system on the dark web.

But it is time the forces of law and order began concentrating their resources on this hidden menace.

Only then will the scourge of the dark web be dragged into the light.