Almost half of the darknet websites surveyed by the Australian National University don't supply COVID-19 'treatments' or protective gear.
Researchers discovered that eight out of 20 markets don't promote any objects associated to coronavirus with one other 9 promoting a really restricted choice. Just three websites accounted for the overwhelming majority (85%) of all distinctive objects bought.
The research was commissioned by Australian Institute of Criminology and monitored 20 darknet markets on April three to conduct a census of COVID-19 associated medical merchandise and provides.
The researchers discovered 645 listings on sale in alternate for cryptocurrency, together with private protective gear (PPE), 'vaccines', diagnostic gear, and one even claimed to supply a blood pattern from a recovered coronavirus affected person. The researchers weren't permitted to buy the merchandise so have been unable to evaluate the authenticity of such objects.
Evidence of a darknet conscience?
Titled "Availability of COVID-19 related products on Tor darknet markets" the report acknowledged that "crime follows chance and the COVID-19 pandemic offers profiteering arising from shortages and fear".
While some have been fast to leap on the medium of exchange alternatives introduced by the pandemic - the merchandise surveyed have been valued at $240,000 USD - the truth that nearly half have been devoid of such listings could recommend some darknet operators have extra moral sense than is often believed.
Speaking to Cointelegraph, research creator Professor Roderic Broadhurst speculated on the epilepsia minor epilepsy of COVID-19 associated merchandise on sure websites:
"Basically different markets view risk differently. Many already ban products like child abuse materials and certain drugs/poisons/etc so ethics [are] also relevant. Of course some markets have no such moral sense and may consider themselves bullet proof."
Free market on darknet
Of course many darknet markets fortunately promote medication, weapons and commerce in stolen bank card game and private data. Some corners of the darknet are worse than others: Cointelegraph latterly reported that over $900,000 in Bitcoin (BTC) went to the acquisition of kid sex offense materials on the darkent in 2019.
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