Anti-TOR propaganda

[ffutures]

I've noticed in several recent American TV shows, especially the NCIS shows, that the TOR network is being portrayed entirely negatively, as "the darknet," a hotbed of arms and drugs dealers, terrorism, etc. They seem to be ignoring the fact that TOR was originally set up by the US government to bypass censorship by other governments, also that it probably isn't particularly difficult to intercept, especially if you're the NSA, and that TOR is probably only a tiny part of web activity that is covert one way or another.

So is the reason for this

(a) Some writer heard about TOR and wanted to use it in the show and didn't think of its positive uses
(b) The prelude to some move against the TOR network by the US government
or
(c) Someone trying to portray TOR as the ultimate way to conceal illegal activities, in hopes that gullible criminals etc. will start to use it and thus be open to scrutiny by e.g. the NSA.

Any thoughts?

Comments

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

You're probably right, but conspiracy theories are always fun.

[fengi.livejournal.com]

I think you are right on some level - it may not be an organized conspiracy, but governmental and corporate opposition to darknet has involved active demonization for years which became the trope lazy writers use.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

That's pretty much it, I think.