Publication
The rise of open-source intelligence
In this article, Damien van Puyvelde and Fernando Tabárez Rienzi examine the evolution of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) within the intelligence community.
- Author
- Damien van Puyvelde & Fernando Tabárez Rienzi
- Date
- 07 January 2025
- Links
- Read the full article here
Van Puyvelde & Rienzi argue that, rather than representing a revolutionary shift, OSINT reflects a natural progression of traditional intelligence practices, encompassing the collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination of vast amounts of publicly accessible information.
The authors highlight that the exponential growth of open-source data is reshaping the intelligence landscape by prompting both state and non-state actors to integrate OSINT practices and enhance digital literacy within their communities. However, they caution that this proliferation of data does not necessarily democratise intelligence, as core challenges such as information overload, reliability, and legal and ethical concerns persist. Addressing these challenges is essential for consolidating OSINT as a community of practice and linking it to broader debates on the role of security expertise in public discourse.