Digital drug trading ecologies in context: Technological, geographic, and linguistic variation across darknet platforms

IF 4.4 2区医学 Q1 SUBSTANCE ABUSE

International Journal of Drug Policy Pub Date : 2025-09-13 DOI:10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104984

Piotr Siuda , Mikko Aaltonen , Ari Haasio , Angus Bancroft , Juha Nurmi , Haitao Shi , J․Tuomas Harviainen

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Previous research on darknet drug markets has primarily concentrated on large, English-language cryptomarkets, often overlooking regionally oriented platforms that operate in national languages. This study adopts a comparative, exploratory approach to examine how drug trade practices vary across linguistic, geographic, and technological contexts. We introduce the concept of “drug trading ecologies” to describe how platform features, communication norms, and localized settings together shape distinct trading environments.

Methods

Using a mixed-methods approach, we analyzed web-crawled data from three Tor-based platforms: Tsatti (Finnish-language chat), Cebulka (Polish-language forum), and Nemesis (English-language cryptomarket). Data were collected through customized web scraping and analyzed using statistical tools and qualitative content coding to examine platform-specific patterns. Our comparative approach highlights structural and localization-specific variations without attempting exhaustive conceptual definitions.

Results

Each platform displayed a distinct configuration shaped by its technical affordances and localization-specific user practices. Tsatti supported fast, hyperlocal, and highly anonymized exchanges with minimal user identity or community features. Cebulka enabled semi-public vendor-buyer interactions, trust-building through discourse, and diverse product bundling. Nemesis functioned as a transnational, professionalized cryptomarket with standardized listings, formalized trust mechanisms, and branding strategies.

Conclusions

Rather than attributing differences solely to local, transnational, or design factors in isolation, we argue that darknet drug trading ecologies emerge from the intersection of platform architecture, localization (geographic scope), and language. Our findings underscore the importance of considering these factors when conducting digital ethnography in illicit economies and providing concrete entry points for tailoring harm reduction interventions responsive to the diverse realities of online drug trading.

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背景下的数字毒品交易生态：跨暗网平台的技术、地理和语言变化

之前对暗网毒品市场的研究主要集中在大型英语加密市场，往往忽视了以国家语言运营的区域性平台。本研究采用比较的、探索性的方法来考察毒品贸易实践在语言、地理和技术背景下的差异。我们引入了“毒品交易生态”的概念来描述平台特征、沟通规范和本地化设置如何共同塑造不同的交易环境。方法采用混合方法，我们分析了来自三个基于tor的平台的网络抓取数据：Tsatti（芬兰语聊天），Cebulka（波兰语论坛）和Nemesis（英语加密货币市场）。通过定制的网络抓取收集数据，并使用统计工具和定性内容编码来分析特定于平台的模式。我们的比较方法强调了结构和本地化特定的变化，而没有尝试详尽的概念定义。结果每个平台都显示出由其技术能力和特定于本地化的用户实践形成的独特配置。Tsatti支持快速、超本地和高度匿名的交换，用户身份或社区功能最少。Cebulka支持半公开的供应商-买家互动，通过对话建立信任，以及多样化的产品捆绑。Nemesis是一个跨国的、专业化的加密市场，拥有标准化的上市、正式的信任机制和品牌战略。我们认为，暗网毒品交易生态不是将差异单独归因于本地、跨国或设计因素，而是来自平台架构、本地化（地理范围）和语言的交集。我们的研究结果强调了在非法经济中开展数字人种志时考虑这些因素的重要性，并为根据在线毒品交易的不同现实情况量身定制减少危害干预措施提供具体切入点。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Drug Policy SUBSTANCE ABUSE-

CiteScore

7.80

自引率

11.40%

发文量

307

审稿时长

62 days

期刊介绍： The International Journal of Drug Policy provides a forum for the dissemination of current research, reviews, debate, and critical analysis on drug use and drug policy in a global context. It seeks to publish material on the social, political, legal, and health contexts of psychoactive substance use, both licit and illicit. The journal is particularly concerned to explore the effects of drug policy and practice on drug-using behaviour and its health and social consequences. It is the policy of the journal to represent a wide range of material on drug-related matters from around the world.