It looks like someone is impersonating Rappler on the dark web

DECODED: TECH, TRUTH, AND THREATS

By Art Samaniego

A screenshot shows a new account under the username journalistRpplr, displaying Rappler’s logo and claiming to be affiliated with the Philippine news site. The account was created just this August and has only one post so far, asking another user, pdfKiller, “Can I interview you?”

To verify, I reached out to someone from Rappler, and they confirmed that the account is not connected to the news portal. This makes it clear that the identity being used on this underground forum is a case of impersonation.

What is the Dark Web?

The dark web refers to a hidden layer of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines and requires special tools like Tor to access. While it is used in some cases for privacy and whistleblowing, it is also notorious for hosting illegal marketplaces, forums for hackers, and other cybercriminal activities. It is often where stolen data, malware, and illicit services are traded.

Impersonating legitimate organizations like Rappler is a known tactic in these spaces. Cybercriminals sometimes use recognizable names and logos to lure forum users into trusting them or to give legitimacy to their operations.

This case is a reminder to be cautious, the mere presence of a logo or familiar name does not guarantee authenticity, especially on the dark web where verification is almost impossible.