US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)
institutionDarknet & Cyber
The technology behind the anonymous 'dark web' was originally built by the U.S. Navy to hide its own spies' communications.
Who they are
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), a U.S. government research institution.
What they do
It's the birthplace of the core technology behind today's dark web.
How it works
In the mid-1990s, NRL researchers David M. Goldschlag, Michael G. Reed and Paul F. Syverson developed 'onion routing' principles specifically to protect U.S. intelligence communications passing through hostile digital environments.
Why it matters
The anonymity tools now associated with the dark web began as a government intelligence tool. The engine flags NRL as the architectural origin of that whole ecosystem.
The engine's record — word for word
United States Naval Research Laboratory. Mid-1990s development of onion routing principles by David M. Goldschlag, Michael G. Reed, Paul F. Syverson — engineered to protect US intelligence communications traversing hostile digital environments. The architectural-genesis institution of the contemporary dark web.
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