What Is the Dark Web Really For?
Weekly Wheaties #2550
In this newsletter:
📝 Post: What Is the Dark Web Really For?
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: AI Updates
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: Streaming Updates
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: Tech Headlines
😎 Pick of the Week: Route
📦 Featured Product: EDC Flashlight and Speaker
📝 What Is the Dark Web Really For?
Last week, I briefly discussed concerns about censorship within some CDNs. This week, I want to dive a bit deeper and discuss some things about what is called the Dark Web. Before we go any further, I want to be very clear. This is not a place for casual scrolling, shopping, social media, or your typical internet use. The Dark Web is usually associated with negative connotations of criminal activity and anonymity. Although good things are used for bad, anything made for bad can also be used for good.
Personally, I am generally not in favor of outrightly banning anything online except for things that may be illegal. Banning things that may be inaccurate or disagreed on will only drive that traffic elsewhere. I also recognize there is a fine line between safety, security, ease of access, and use. A problem (not the problem) with banning things online is where to draw the line.
If something is said that the majority disagrees with, it could potentially be banned or blocked by that platform. We’ve seen this pretty prevalently on social media sites, as users can report other users, escalating the post in question. The system may automatically block those accounts based on a mass reporting of that account without any due diligence. The automated process (usually powered by machine learning and/or AI) may not always give the same type of post the same results when making a decision.
We’ve heard from Mark Zuckerberg and Meta talking about their work towards making their platforms allow More Speech and Fewer Mistakes when trying to censor accounts. He mentions this fine line and tries to tune how much is too much when trying to allow user freedom on their platforms.
They have since switched to community notes rather than automated fact-checking systems. Another option could be to have users manually approve/deny these requests; however, that can become very subjective and create potential echo chambers. Manual approval is also very expensive, especially given the size of Meta’s customer base.
Which leads us to answering the question: Where do these users go when the content they want to discuss becomes blocked? Usually, they may migrate to Telegram, Discord, or other encrypted chat apps. But they may also stumble upon the Dark Web. Here, there are no systems to censor or block what’s possible.
It’s also important to clarify that the Dark Web wasn’t created as a reaction to social media moderation or modern censorship. It goes back to privacy-first communication, as mentioned with protecting whistleblowers, journalists, and activists. Over time, however, it became a refuge for anything pushed out of the mainstream, both legitimate and criminal. Attracting illegal markets and, in some cases, extremist groups. Censorship didn’t create the Dark Web, but it does influence who ends up using it.
For starters, the Dark Web has been given that name due to the type of channels posted here. But in order to access it, you essentially need a special browser. This would be similar to Chrome, Safari, or Edge, but it only communicates on the Dark Web’s servers. The popular browser used is Tor, and the network/protocol (if you want to call it that) is a .onion address, rather than a .com or others used on our version of the web. Think about it like this: on your computer, only certain programs can play audio files, other programs can play videos, others can open PDFs, etc. The Tor browser allows access to .onion sites.
So, what do we do here?
Whether you agree or disagree with the premise, you can’t discount that Bitcoin has had huge disruptions in the global market. And guess where it started? Many other technology type disruptions (including security protocols) have had some type of start on the Dark Web. WikiLeaks, other whistleblowers, and major data leaks have had at least some part of their process go through the Dark Web. When oversight is limited or decentralized, it becomes easier to publish information without immediate scrutiny and see what gains traction.
These types of efforts were only successful due to the privacy, anonymity, and open communication allowed on the Dark Web. Anyone can say anything, but that means that literally -anything- can be said.
On another personal level, when I first heard about Bitcoin in the early 2010s, I wanted to purchase some. At the time, the only way was through the Dark Web. I didn’t feel comfortable connecting any of my payment information in order to purchase, and missed out. That being said, this post is not an approval to use the Dark Web, only a base background of understanding what it is and how it works. Being more educated on a topic helps improve our understanding of it. And in this case, why we probably shouldn’t use it.
🗞️ ICYMI: AI Updates
The President signed an Executive Order Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence. Essentially, they are aiming to establish a framework to promote US leadership and innovation in the AI space. This order also creates an AI litigation Task Force to look at the various state laws to evaluate any current regulations that may be harmful to AI growth.
Until further notice, Google and OpenAI are continuing their growth. Both Gemini 3 and ChatGPT-5.2 are now available. Mashable compares them based on benchmarks, price, and feature set. Spoiler alert: they both include significant improvements over their predecessor, making them much faster, more capable, and giving fewer hallucinations.
🗞️ ICYMI: Streaming Updates
First up, an apology from last week. I reported that Netflix agreed to buy Warner Bros. Well, apparently, that didn’t go over quite well with some competitors - specifically Paramount. Then, the regulators stepped in with some legal challenges. Ultimately, we’re in limbo with more info to come. See this story by Bloomberg for a more in-depth story.
Next up, it was announced that Disney to Invest $1 Billion in OpenAI and License Characters for Use in ChatGPT, Sora. This is pretty big on the AI side, too, giving more cash flow to OpenAI and an equity stake for Disney. Here, over 200 characters from the Disney catalog will be available in Sora as Disney implements OpenAI APIs internally.
🗞️ ICYMI: Tech Headlines
Pebble maker announces Index 01, a smart-ish ring for under $100
TikTok Rolls Out Nearby Feed to Bring You More Local Content
😎 POTW: Route
With most of your holiday shopping complete and packages still on the way, how do you know when and where everything is? Tracking all your purchases through Amazon may be simple enough, but what about items coming from other random sites your social media algorithms sent you to? Oh yeah, I see you! Consider downloading the mobile app Route on Android or iOS. Here, you can enter all of your tracking numbers, give your shipment a name, and see where everything is on a map. Notifications will alert you when things are moving, all the way to being delivered! I was able to track 6 items at a time, coming from both coasts, and even something from overseas.
📦 Featured Product
In your everyday carry bag, you probably have a lot of random items. This week, I wanted to share two additions you may want to add. First up, a Rechargeable Flashlight. It is small, but it can connect to your bag or hat with a clip or connect anywhere with the magnet. The light also rotates and can change colors.
Next up is the Leicex mini Bluetooth Speaker. This thing has great reviews for the type of sound it can produce for its size. It also doubles as a camera remote for taking pictures with your phone. Both are rechargeable via USB-C.
