Because the content is rooted in criminal activity, it is rarely indexed by standard search engines. Access is typically concealed behind paywalls on private apps or the dark web.

The illicit industry is vast and technically sophisticated, spanning multiple countries: South Korea

"It’s for the collective good," Elias argued at the Tuesday block party, holding his phone up to show a crystal-clear clip of a suspicious sedan. "If we all had these, crime would drop to zero. Digital neighborhood watch."