Amber Rudd to pledge £9m in fund to fight dark web
2 min read
Amber Rudd will set out plans to spend an extra £9m on fighting use of the dark web by criminal gangs.
The hidden area of the internet allows anonymity for users, who can then exploit it for drug deals, child pornography, guns, credit scams and other illegal activities.
The Home Secretary will tell delegates at the National Cyber Security Centre in Manchester that the dark web represents “a dark and dangerous place where anonymity emboldens people to break the law in the most horrifying of ways”.
“A platform of dangerous crimes and horrific abuse. A sickening shopping list of services and products are available,” she will add.
“So today I’m pleased to announce that we will be giving over £9m to enhance the UK’s specialist law enforcement response. They will use this money to help combat the criminals who continually exploit the anonymity of the dark web.”
Ms Rudd will also announce plans for more than £5m to be spent on establishing police units at regional and local level in an effort to take on cybercrime.
The Home Office funding together makes up part of £1.9bn offered by Philip Hammond in 2016 to boost defences against cyber-attacks.
The department will spend about £50m, including on the dark web and cyber capability for police forces at local level during 2018-2019.
“[This year's funding] will mean that cyber-crimes are investigated thoroughly and police can support local businesses and local victims, providing the advice and care they need,” she will add.
“Because whilst criminals plot and hide behind their screens, their actions have real-life consequences for their victims.”
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