Encyclopaedia Entry: Dark Web (Accepted version)

The dark web, accessed through special software such as Tor, is a part of the Internet that is invisible to search engines and standard browsing methods. It offers encrypted and anonymous data exchange, often associated with illegal activities such as drug trafficking and information theft. But it also serves a vital function for journalists and activists in repressive regimes, providing a means to evade censorship and surveillance. Conceptually, the dark web is a subset of the deep web, which includes all unindexed content, as opposed to the easily accessible surface web. Researchers exploring the dark web face unique challenges due to the volatile nature of its content and the ethical implications of studying potentially illegal activity. Despite its notoriety, the dark web remains a relatively understudied area within political communication research, suggesting a gap in comprehensive understanding of its impact and infrastructure.

please cite: Wähner (2025), Dark Web. In Nai, A., Grömping, M., & Wirz, D. (Eds). Elgar Encyclopedia of Political Communication. Edward Elgar Publishing. Accepted version.