January 21, 2016 (2016-01-21) – May 25, 2017 (2017-05-25)
Dark Net is an American documentary television series created by Mati Kochavi that explores the dark web and technology, and themes such as biohacking, cyber-kidnapping, digital warfare, online cults, pornography addiction, and webcam strippers. The series premiered on January 21, 2016, on Showtime, with the first season consisting of eight episodes.[1] Its second season, consisting of eight episodes, premiered on April 6, 2017.[2]
Production
Showtime greenlit the series in November 2015. It was created by Mati Kochavi, the founder of Vocativ, and is co-produced by Part2 Pictures.[3] The series was renewed for a second season in March 2016.[4]
Reception
The series has received generally positive reviews from critics. On Metacritic, it has a score of 69 out of 100 based on six reviews.[5] Keith Uhlich of The Hollywood Reporter gave it a positive review, calling it "compelling" and wrote, "Contemplation and condemnation, all wrapped up into one, with no easy answers at the end of it all. The fact that Dark Net never allows you to entirely pin down its perspective keeps the proceedings riveting."[6] Brian Lowry of Variety gave it a more mixed review and wrote, "Other than acknowledging that these subcultures exist, what Dark Net doesn't do is shed much light on them."[7]
International broadcast
The series premiered in Canada on The Movie Network on January 21, 2016, simultaneous with the American broadcast.[8]
This episode focuses on a BDSM couple in a long-distance relationship; a Japanese man in a virtual relationship by using LovePlus; and a woman who was a victim of revenge porn.
The central theme is biohacking, including a woman who implants an RFID chip in her hand and a man who lost an eye in accident replacing it with a camera. Also, a man who uses hundreds of data collection systems to track everything in his life.
Documenting cyber child pornography in Cebu, Philippines via the dark web. Also, technology used to protect children online and catch the perpetrators is shown, and a pedophile reveals the reasons for his addiction.
This episode explores a woman who believes she suffers from electromagnetic hypersensitivity; a man who suffered a massive stroke and is now paralyzed, who uses technology to improve and aid in his life; and a woman who deserted her family to join an online cult.
This episode documents online amateur sleuths (Websleuths) regarding the death of Morgan Ingram and its effect on the accused killer who was deemed innocent; and "Commander X", a member of hacktivist group Anonymous who fled the United States having been arrested for a cyber attack.
This episode explores facial recognition technology and its use in law enforcement, homes, and casinos. An innocent man tells his story after facial recognition technology incorrectly tied him to a bank robbery and how it has ruined his life, leaving him homeless. Also explored is the issue of privacy in the age of social media.
14
6
"My Home"
Jeremy Siefer Peter Richardson
Jeremy Siefer Eric Strauss
May 11, 2017 (2017-05-11)
N/A
This episode discuses issues of privacy and surveillance within homes and communities; including a woman whose laptop webcam is infiltrated by a digital stalker; a neighborhood which takes it upon themselves to install surveillance cameras for safety; and a man whose interest in voyeurism now has him labeled as a sex offender living under constant surveillance.
This episode explores relationships in the digital age; a Japanese family who have an AI robot as part of their family; a woman who has programmed her dead friend into a chatbot; and a mother who uses a spy program to monitor her teenage daughter's activities on her phone.
