Unvieling the Darknet: Cybercrimes and their Impact on Vulnerable Groups in the Digital Divide

In the grooming era of the internet, where access to numerous resources is readily available, the cybersecurity of such accessibility is at risk. The dark web is an anonymous network that connects users by using non-standard and often illicit protocols. It is an end-to-end encrypted network that hides user’s identities, giving them a false sense of security. This anonymity is further enhanced by technologies such as Onion routing, the Tor web browser, and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The primary reason people use such browsers is that they enable access to the dark web while maintaining user anonymity. The dark web is often exploited for purposes such as identity theft, sextortion, the sale of illicit goods (weapons, narcotics, stolen data, etc.), and as a communication platform for extremist groups to express their oppressive views. It is also a hub for revenge porn, contract killings, and assassinations. The victims of such distressing offenses are often the vulnerable groups such as children, women, elderly population, people residing in rural areas as well as low-income communities. However, they are not only the victims, but also form a significant portion of the perpetrators due to the vicious cycle of poverty, lack of access to education and unemployment. The underlying cause of the issue is the digital divide, which is essentially the proportionate gap between the people who have access to the digital world and those who do not. Digital divide can stem from geographical, socio-economical, global and gender disparities. This paper aims to address such issues that require a multifaceted approach bridging the gap in the digital divide and proposing a solution of having a constructive legal framework and efficient mechanisms to monitor deviations.