The Dangers of Open Source Research
OSINT (Open Source Intelligence), often called OSINT, is a valuable tool for understanding global events. However, it comes with its own set of challenges and pitfalls. This post examines the usual missteps that can weaken the reliability and impact of open-source research, particularly in the setting of swiftly changing global situations. Failing to Link to the Original Source One of the core tenets of open-source investigation is transparency. The content should be open to the public and verifiable. Not linking to the original source can greatly damage the trustworthiness of the research. During important happenings, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many OSINT handles on social media platforms like Twitter shared videos without linking to the original source. This omission stripped away potentially crucial metadata, making validating information challenging. It's crucial for researchers to always link to the original sources to maintain transparency and verifiabi...