This article from the BBC notes that a notorious site used for the buying and selling of all sorts of contraband including illegal drugs, weapons, and even humans has been shut down. Long known about but very difficult to find, the Silk Road website was only accessible through a private network using what is known as The Onion Router, or the TOR network. The site now has a single page stating the feds have seized it.
It also used the virtual Bitcoin currency in order to keep the transactions anonymous, and apparently the owner was involved in some untoward activities himself.
This is a positive in my opinion, never mind the illegal drugs and guns, but the human trafficking, child pornography and murder-for-hire contracts it was known for has been shut down as well. This is a triumph for those who fight against such things.
UPDATE: There is a much more detailed account of what happened at this link.
Bravo to the FBI for shutting down a horrendous site. While I have never heard about the site per say, I can only imagine how many of them are out there and hopefully this is one less evil present in the world. The biggest worry I have is whether or not the image on the page is still there or if it says, "This Hidden Site Was Seized....but has been released due to the lapse in federal funding. The seizure will continue once Congress restores funding!"
ReplyDeleteWhile I do not necessarily agree with the site's goals and operations per se, I believe that the TOR browser is an interesting way to browse .ONION sites as all of the information is sent through many pathways and users to get from point A to point B. I read elsewhere from this blog that the FBI was not able to track the creators of the SR from the TOR browser, but through a fluke years ago where the creator posted their personal information on a typical www. style website.
ReplyDeleteI am also interested to see how this will affect the value of the Bitcoin. Recently as last winter, I had seen the price of Bitcoins rise from around $70/ea. to over $120/ea. in the course of a few weeks. Definitely some room for potential investing there. I think that this news will bring more light in to digital currencies and could potentially result in another booming in the value of the Bitcoin. I have seen Bitcoins accepted in all sorts of 'local shops' including a bakery, of all places. Interesting stuff here.
Drugs are moving into the information age. Drugs have not ruined America, it ruined Americans. This country is still great and it needs to adapt on how exactly to fight drugs. The biggest drugs out there are the ones that lead people to illigal drugs in the first place such as the economy and education. Poor choices from the top down. As far as these drugs on the streets I say just tax all of it and give the people the freedom of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The truth this guy that was busted could have actually started a extremely profitable business. I do NOT drugs that a doctor would not give me but what about the legal ones that may cause: the following (like on a commercial) vomiting, bloating, anal bleeding, diarrhea, depression, thoughts of suicide, nausea and the list goes on. The war on drugs is a family matter if anything and it starts inside the homes on America.
ReplyDeleteThe creation of the internet certainly opened many more doors for carrying out illicit activity. I am all for federal seizure of this criminal website and I only hope that the bitcoins that were seized are applied to our national debt...I know wishful thinking on my part! My only concern is invasion of privacy. Exactly where is the line drawn when monitoring someone's internet activity? If we are a truly free society, then why are we not entrusted with making our own decisions within our home? It should not matter what you choose to do to yourself...drugs, etc; it should only matter if you infringe on another person's rights. Human trafficking and child pornography are reprehensible crimes that should be harshly punished, but if you choose to do drugs on your own...so be it. Make the illicit drugs legal and tax the heck out of them. Our jails would be less crowded and we would have room to house the more serious criminal offenders. Instead, our jails are full of third time drug offenders and people who committed violent crimes that infringed on another human beings personal rights are allowed to parole out and be released. Am I the only one who feels this makes no sense? Go Feds! Seize the website, but really think about what the seized funds can do for America.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting article! I learned something new I have never heard of the term Bitcoins before, and now I know what it means. I cant believe he accumulated so much for doing all this illegal activity. Talk about a dirty business. Its crazy to think there could have been a murder out of this, I dont know what can get worse than that. Luckily they caught him before any of this could continue. The last part of the article said that they think in a matter of time copy cats would appear. Lets hope not and if they try Lets hope the FBI catches them in the early stages.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that something like onion browsers exist. It is a shame that after all the trouble he went through he forgot to hide his personal email. Talk about being able to find anything online. I do not condone the use of online marketing for things such as child pornograpy or human trafficking neither murder for hire. Such sites irrespecttive of this one I believe create a false sense of security because The National Security Agency is well developed and has adequate resources to access any information they deisre. Maybe the reason he got away with it for so long was because they were busy focusing on other issues.
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