By 2022, the dark web will be a major threat to the EU, with terrorist organisations and criminal gangs increasingly using the dark web for illegal activities. It will be a base for:
- the trading of illicit drugs, weapons, counterfeit goods and pornography
- the sale of personal information
- extortion and fraud
- cybercrime.
The dark web is a “dark” side of the Internet not indexed by search engines. Security and privacy are the main reasons why users choose to access the Internet using this technology.
In the EU, the dark web is used mostly in the Netherlands, Germany and the UK.
Action for the EU and US
To tackle the dark web, the EU is:
- providing Member States with tools and best practices to fight cybercrime and the use of encryption
- developing an EU-wide cybercrime centre to provide better cross-border cooperation between law enforcement authorities
- making the European Cybercrime Centre a fully operational unit by 2023
- implementing an EU Cybersecurity Agency, which will have a specific role in analysing cybersecurity risks, including those related to the dark web
Background
The fight against cybercrime, including the dark web, is a priority for the Commission and EU countries.
The Commission is investing €3.9 billion in cyber security research and development over the next 10 years. The Commission is also proposing a new directive on cyber security and a regulation on network and information security. These measures will help to protect EU citizens and businesses against cyber attacks.
