Bill Overview
Title: Dark Web Interdiction Act of 2022
Description: This bill establishes enhanced criminal penalties for distributing controlled substances via the dark web. It also establishes other programs and requirements to address the use of the dark web for illicit drug activities. ( Dark web means the portions of the internet with hidden sites and services that (1) are not generally searchable, and (2) can only be accessed with specialized devices or services that conceal the identities and locations of users.) Specifically, the bill provides an enhanced criminal penalty for delivering, distributing, or dispensing controlled substances via the dark web. The bill also provides statutory authority for the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement Task Force, which supports the investigation and prosecution of drug offenses committed via the dark web domestically and internationally. In addition, the Department of Justice must report on how and to what extent virtual currencies are used for opioid distribution via the dark web.
Sponsors: Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]
Target Audience
Population: People involved in buying or selling controlled substances via the dark web
Estimated Size: 750000
- The dark web includes a significant number of users globally who engage in the buying and selling of controlled substances. These users include individuals from all over the world.
- Law enforcement communities globally will be impacted, especially in countries with developed cyber crime units. This is due to increased cooperation aided by the task force.
- Individuals who use virtual currencies as a means of purchasing or selling on the dark web may be affected through increased scrutiny and potential penalties.
- Companies and organizations that provide tools for browsing the dark web, as well as those offering anonymizing services, may experience increased regulation.
- Families and communities affected by opioid addiction will be impacted indirectly through potential reductions in drug distribution channels.
Reasoning
- We must consider a wide range of individuals affected either directly or indirectly by the Dark Web Interdiction Act of 2022. This includes drug users, sellers, law enforcement personnel, families affected by addiction, and individuals using the dark web for other non-illicit purposes.
- Given there are 750,000 Americans primarily impacted, simulating a small but diverse sample that reflects common roles like addicts, sellers, law enforcement, and family members is necessary.
- We must recognize that law enforcement and families of addicts might see positive changes, whereas users and sellers on the dark web may face negative impacts.
- Well-being scores are derived from a Cantril self-anchoring scale we assume correlates with predictable impacts of increased legal action and reduced drug availability among sellers but potentially higher street prices for users.
- Budget constraints suggest limited scope for enforcement, reducing likelihood of wiping out dark web transactions but possibly deterring future involvement due to increased risks.
Simulated Interviews
Dark web drug seller (New York, NY)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I make most of my money selling online, but I know I'm taking some risks.
- The increased penalties are concerning. If caught, my life could be over.
- It's concerning to think about not being able to support myself.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 2 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 5 |
Rehabilitated opioid addict (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see hope in reducing access to drugs, as it could prevent relapses.
- Penalties seem encouraging but aren't always the full solution to addiction.
- There are many reasons people use and I'm glad I'm recovering.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
FBI Cyber Crime Unit (Miami, FL)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The dark web presents a significant challenge, and this task force will strengthen our efforts.
- We've seen success in past operations; these new resources can amplify that.
- Reducing drug trade impacts communities positively in the long run.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Software engineer (Austin, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These regulations might affect some software projects negatively.
- There needs to be a balance between privacy and illegal activity regulation.
- Concerned about the chilling effect on legitimate privacy software.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Mother of recovering addict (Chicago, IL)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The fewer drugs available, the better for all families like ours.
- Increased penalties might deter people from selling drugs online.
- I worry about resources actually reaching the right places.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
College student (Portland, OR)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It might become harder to get the stuff I use socially.
- I don't understand a lot of the legal stuff, but it sounds like a pain.
- Probably, law enforcement could use resources elsewhere.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
Cryptocurrency economist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Regulating dark markets could shift economic activities in cryptocurrencies.
- Interested in seeing how this impacts dark market's transactional volume.
- Concerns over increasing privacy-infringing regulations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Medicinal chemist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Closing dark web channels might help in controlling opioid epidemics.
- A focus on supply-side regulation is needed but so is education and treatment.
- Hopeful but skeptical about long-term effects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Retired teacher (Baltimore, MD)
Age: 66 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If these laws mean fewer drugs in schools, I support them.
- Youth and education forums must also address these issues.
- We can't ignore prevention in early spaces like schools.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cybersecurity analyst (Denver, CO)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Tighter regulations will increase demand for security expertise.
- These policies could lead to innovations in secure communications.
- Ample opportunities for skill and service expansion if implemented cautiously.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $62000000 (Low: $52000000, High: $72000000)
Year 3: $64000000 (Low: $54000000, High: $74000000)
Year 5: $67000000 (Low: $57000000, High: $77000000)
Year 10: $74000000 (Low: $64000000, High: $84000000)
Year 100: $100000000 (Low: $90000000, High: $110000000)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness of enforcement on the dark web significantly impacts cost and savings.
- Increased scrutiny on virtual currencies and anonymizing services means greater regulation costs may be passed to consumers.
- International cooperation is crucial but could also increase administrative costs.