the main purpose of this article is to analyze, discuss, and develop an approach to defining the shadow digital economy that accompanies worldwide digitalization processes. Digital economy implies total globalization, creates an ultra-high competitive environment, provides a new quality of life, business and public services. At the same time, many traditional areas of activity are being destroyed. In addition to understandable achievements, it is necessary to analyze new obvious and hidden threats that digitalization processes carry. An analysis of the causes and factors of the emergence and functioning of the new segment in the shadow economy is conducted. The approaches to the definition of this category and its content are discussed. A classification of criminal-oriented products and services that are the basis of a highly profitable illegal business has been proposed. The problem of confrontation with Shadow Digital Economics acquires particular urgency in the face of the emergence of new overt and hidden threats to the individuals, society and the state.