Challenging the techno-politics of anonymity: the case of cryptomarket users

ABSTRACT

Anonymity is treated as a problem of governance that can be subject to technical resolution. We use the example of the darknet to critically examine this approach. We explore the background assumptions that have been made about anonymity as a quality of social life. We conceive of anonymity as a way of engaging and maintaining social relationships in an anonymous mode. We draw on a study of darknet ‘cryptomarket’ users who mainly use the darknet to buy and sell illicit drugs, discuss drug quality and share information on safe and effective use. We identify the personal satisfaction that comes from interacting anonymously online, the challenges this represents for maintaining trusted interactions and how they are overcome, and the combination of technology and action involved in maintaining anonymity. We argue that attempts to promote de-anonymising norms and technology are based on an erroneous understanding of what anonymity is.

KEYWORDS:

• Cryptomarkets
• anonymity
• drug use
• darknet

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Steve Kemp, Kimberley Masson, the anonymous reviewers, and the research participants.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Angus Bancroft is senior lecturer in Sociology at the University of Edinburgh. He is researching cryptomarkets, encryption and privacy.[email: [email protected]].

Peter Scott Reid is currently an MSc Sociology candidate at the University of Oxford. He is researching cryptomarkets and trust.[email: [email protected]].