It is a fair point, and I don't necessarily agree with the perception or misuse of either word. But you have to admit there are connotations and that leads to

It is a fair point, and I don't necessarily agree with the perception or misuse of either word. But you have to admit there are connotations and that leads to bias when you start talking to laypeople who don't understand the other meanings or usages of 'darknet' or 'hacker'. There may be better ways to communicate that won't immediately stop the general public in their tracks when they hear a particular 'tainted' word.