What lurks on the dark web? New research uses AI to shine a light - Create News

The dark web (also known as the deep, invisible and hidden web) with its veil of anonymity has been associated with crimes such as drug dealing, child pornography and credit card fraud. This dire reputation is difficult to confirm through research, as criminal sites can only be accessed legally by law enforcement officers conducting an investigation. But a recent study led by Monash University PhD candidate Janis Dalins – who also happens to be an Australian Federal Police (AFP) officer – has been able to shed light on the actual activity going on in the dark web's shadowy realms. Dalins' main academic supervisor, Dr Campbell Wilson, told create digital the PhD research was not originally focused on law enforcement, but Dalins' policing background offered a unique opportunity to develop tools to improve community safety online. "It became clear over time that we could bring Janis' experience in law enforcement together with research, particularly in machine learning," Wilson said.