A sweeping international law enforcement operation known as “Operation Alice” has led to the shutdown of more than 373,000 dark web sites, in what officials are calling one of the most extensive crackdowns on cybercrime infrastructure ever carried out.
The coordinated effort brought together agencies from multiple countries, targeting hidden services operating on encrypted networks often used for illegal trade. Authorities say the takedown focused on platforms linked to drug trafficking, weapons distribution, financial fraud, and the sale of stolen data, as well as services enabling hacking and identity theft.
Officials say the scale of the takedown sends a strong message to cybercriminals, but caution that the dark web remains resilient, with new sites likely to emerge. Authorities have pledged continued international cooperation to monitor and combat evolving online threats.