Number of users on dark web software more than doubles this year

The number of South Koreans using an anonymity software capable of providing access to the dark web anonymously has more than doubled this year, data showed Friday, as the nation has vowed to tackle deepfake sex crimes. The software, known as Tor, had a daily average of 43,757 South Korean users in the first seven months of this year, compared with 18,801 for the same period last year, according to data from the Korea Internet and Security Agency. The data was submitted to Rep. Park Choong-kwon of the ruling People Power Party. "The dark web is a social evil as it is a major distribution channel for drugs and sexual abuse materials, as well as deepfake sex exploitation materials that target teenagers," Park said in a statement. Earlier this week, the government and the ruling party agreed to strengthen measures against deepfake sex crimes after a series of sexually explicit materials targeting young women on Telegram sparked public outrage. Source: Yonhap News Agency