The new preprint by Marco Wähner deals with the dark web in the context of political communication. This part of the internet, which is only accessible via special software such as Tor, remains invisible to search engines and conventional browsing methods. The dark web offers encrypted and anonymous data transfers, which often associates it with illegal activities such as drug trafficking or information theft. At the same time, however, it also plays an important role for journalists and activists in repressive regimes, as it allows them to circumvent censorship and surveillance.
Conceptually, the dark web is part of the deep web, which includes all non-indexed content, in contrast to the easily accessible surface web. Researchers studying the dark web face unique challenges, as the content is volatile and the ethical implications make it difficult to study potentially illegal activities. Despite its poor reputation, the dark web remains a relatively under-researched area in political communication research, indicating a gap in the comprehensive understanding of its impact and infrastructure.
Citation: Wähner, M. (2025), Dark Web. In Nai, A., Grömping, M., & Wirz, D. (eds.). Elgar Encyclopedia of Political Communication. Edward Elgar Publishing. Adopted version.