[Air-L] dark web recruitment

[Oltmann, Shannon]

I am conducting a research project on the use of encryption (some of which is used to protect or conceal illegal activities). Some of my interviewees have mentioned the dark web. I have recruited primarily through Reddit. I find a subreddit of particular interest, contact the mods to see if I have their blessing to post a recruitment message, and then post. The key is to stay on top of comments and PMs. I was unfamiliar with Reddit before beginning this project, but a friend gave me a quick overview and the learning curve has not been steep.

Contrary to my anxious expectations, the folks on Reddit have been welcoming, kind, and receptive (even, often, enthusiastic subjects). I haven’t specifically looked for dark web info, but I know there are some subreddits related to the dark web. That may be a place to begin recruitment (or learning about folks who are interested in the dark web).

I echo others: I strongly suggest you set up encrypted email (Proton Mail is very user friendly), use a VPN, and take other precautions.

Dr. Shannon M. Oltmann
Assistant Professor
School of Information Science
College of Communication & Information
University of Kentucky
shannon.oltmann at uky.edu
320 Lucille Little Library
Lexington KY 40506
859-257-0788
859-257-4205 (fax)

From: Renata Aquino Ribeiro<mailto:raquino at gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2017 3:04 PM
To: air-l at listserv.aoir.org<mailto:air-l at listserv.aoir.org>
Subject: Re: [Air-L] dark web recruitment

Hi

I haven't yet quite understood what do you want to do but you don't need to
go to the dark web yourself to collect stories, imho

I think hackerspaces would be a good place to find people to interview as
well as spaces which discuss free speech online. I have recently
participated in a v. good discussion about this in Ekospace Buenos Aires
and there was a researcher from UESPI there involved w/ Tor Project who may
help.

Now, if you're looking for commercial illegal activity on the dark web,
that's a whole other side of things. In any web you'd be vulnerable anyway.
You should also not be billing all illegalism in the world to it, you can
get illegal stuff on ebay.

Best,

Renata
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