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: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Target Audience
Population: People using the dark web for distribution of controlled substances
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The bill targets individuals involved in illegal activities related to controlled substance distribution specifically through the dark web.
- People who use the dark web for legal purposes will not be affected directly unless they are involved in controlled substances distribution.
- Law enforcement and legal personnel will be impacted due to increased involvement in interdictions and law enforcement activities related to dark web distribution.
- Individuals and entities involved in the development and usage of virtual currencies could be impacted due to heightened scrutiny.
Reasoning
- The target group primarily includes individuals involved in the distribution of controlled substances via the dark web. They may face legal actions resulting in declining wellbeing, particularly if they are arrested or prosecuted.
- Individuals using the dark web for purposes unrelated to drug distribution should experience no direct impact from the policy.
- Law enforcement members engaged in interdiction activities might experience increased stress due to more demanding workloads, but also improved job satisfaction due to greater efforts against illicit trade.
- Legal personnel could face increased workload, potentially affecting their wellbeing.
- There's a small impact expected on users of virtual currencies as additional scrutiny could affect perceptions of legitimacy.
- Given the policy budget constraints, not all users may be directly impacted; priority will likely be given to large-scale distributors.
Simulated Interviews
Dark Web Vendor (California)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The increased penalties make my operations a lot more risky.
- I might have to explore different ways to distribute.
- The crackdown may reduce my income significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 1 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 1 | 5 |
Law Enforcement Officer (New York)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This gives us more tools to intercept drug trade.
- The workload will increase, but it's worth it to slow down drug trafficking.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Software Developer (Texas)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The law doesn't affect my work directly unless our software ends up being illicitly used.
- We might face more scrutiny, which is a bit unsettling.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Cryptocurrency Analyst (Washington)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm interested to see how the dark web law affects virtual currency markets.
- Increased volatility might actually help analysts like me find new opportunities.
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 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
College Student (Oregon)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Understanding these laws is useful for my field.
- I have no direct connection to the dark web's illegal trading, so not much impact personally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Lawyer (Virginia)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These new regulations will likely increase legal cases involving dark web trade.
- The increased business is good but also adds pressure on my practice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Unemployed (Florida)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't really know much about this law's effect since I'm not involved.
- It's kind of interesting from a tech perspective.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Pharmacist (Colorado)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Tighter controls on the dark web could reduce illegal opioid distribution.
- It's something beneficial in the long run.
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 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Freelance IT Consultant (Illinois)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As long as I ensure no direct ties to illicit use, my work remains unaffected.
- Curious if this crackdown might affect privacy software indirectly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Community Organizer (Georgia)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy is crucial; it can have a real impact on the ground.
- Adds to the community efforts against the illicit drug trade.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $80000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $100000000)
Year 2: $82000000 (Low: $61500000, High: $102500000)
Year 3: $84050000 (Low: $63000000, High: $105000000)
Year 5: $88255000 (Low: $66150000, High: $110500000)
Year 10: $100898575 (Low: $75532267, High: $126123883)
Year 100: $2582536168 (Low: $1936902126, High: $3377048225)
Key Considerations
- The dark web's evolving nature makes predicting the scale of illegal activities and enforcement needs challenging.
- Enforcement actions on the dark web require advanced technological capabilities, which might demand significant initial investment.
- International cooperation and jurisdictional challenges might affect the implementation and effectiveness of enforcement measures.