A protected area of the internet that cannot be found through normal search engines and requires special software to access. It offers a high level of anonymity and is used for both legal and illegal purposes.
example
Journalisten nutzen das Darknet manchmal, um sicher mit Whistleblowern zu kommunizieren.
Journalists sometimes use the darknet to communicate securely with whistleblowers.
Usage tips
English loanword
'Darknet' is a term from English, made up of 'dark' (dunkel) and 'net' (Netz). In German, it is used as a neuter noun because the German base word 'das Netz' is neuter.
EXAMPLE
Für den Zugang zum Darknet benötigt man eine spezielle Software.
You need special software to access the darknet.
Correct preposition
When describing being in this part of the internet or doing something there, German uses the preposition 'in' with the dative: 'im Darknet' (on/in the darknet).
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei ermittelt gegen Händler, die ihre Waren im Darknet anbieten.
The police are investigating dealers who offer their goods on the darknet.
Context: legal and illegal
The darknet is often associated with illegal activities. However, it is also a tool for people who need to remain anonymous, such as journalists or political activists in authoritarian states.
EXAMPLE
Dissidenten nutzen das Darknet, um die staatliche Zensur zu umgehen.
Dissidents use the darknet to bypass state censorship.