THE DARK SIDE OF THE NET: EVENT ANALYSIS OF SYSTEMIC TEAMWORK (EAST) APPLIED TO ILLICIT TRADING ON A DARKNET MARKET

摘要

Darknet markets are increasingly being used to facilitate the trade of illicit drugs and fraudulent identitydata. Despite this, the processes underlying such trading remain poorly understood, as does how best todisrupt these activities. The aim of this study was to use Event Analysis of Systemic Teamwork (EAST) todescribe the task, social, and information networks involved in the buying and selling of illicit goods on aDarknet market. The results demonstrated that many elements of Darknet market activity interact andtargeting any one of these elements may result in a variety of disruptive outcomes. This study hasimplications for understanding the complexity of the Darknet market ecosystem and its vulnerability todisruption.