Last year, the internet shopping bot, Random Darknet Shopper invited trouble after cops came looking for it at the doorstep of an art gallery. The Random Darknet Shopper bot was created by iMediengruppe Bitnik, a European art group. The shopping bot is designed to scour the deep web and buy random articles available on sale. The articles bought by the bot is then exhibited as part of the art exhibition.
The trouble started after the Random Darknet Shopper ended up buying ecstasy, which was put on display along with other articles. As the news caught on, Kunst Halle St Gallen received a visit from the local cops who ended up confiscating the whole shopping list including the yellow pill and Random Darknet Shopper shopping bot. iMediengruppe Bitnik was also threatened with prosecution as well. However, after three months the public prosecutor’s office at St Gallen decided to drop the investigation and released the shopping bot along will all but one item bought over the deep web.
Now, iMediengruppe Bitnik is back with its Random Darknet Shopper. The shopping bot will once again scour the deep web marketplace – Agora for deals and buy random stuff. The bot has a weekly allowance of $100 to do shopping and last week it made its first purchase.
The Random Darknet Shopper has chosen a fake Lacoste polo shirt as its first purchase, which it did for $35. According to Guardian, the members of iMediengruppe Bitnik seem unfazed by the previous year’s incidence and they are not shying away from trouble. Even though purchasing illegal and banned substances is a crime and the creators of Random Darknet Shopper will be responsible for any of its actions including purchase of illegal and banned substances, they are not concerned about it. The members have however decided to continue with the run as the Swiss constitution allows art in public interest to be free.