Spotlight | Israel, United States
OSINT experts hold their breath as Bright Data-Meta lawsuit plays out

Europe, United States
Foreign malign influence: former CIA turned OpenAI intelligence chief struggles to ward off worries of information apocalypse

Invited to speak at an anti-disinformation conference in Riga earlier this month, OpenAI sent a representative to present some of the company's services, but he had trouble winning over his audience.

France, United States
Avatars still used for online infiltrations despite growing pressure

Despite social media platforms' concerted effort to combat fake profiles, avatars have new techniques to draw on to remain of use.

France
French interior ministry's grand Cyber III programme invests heavily in open source

The multiple tender call for the third phase of the French interior ministry's grand Cyber III investment programme has finally opted for greater spending on open source intelligence (OSINT).

India, Israel
Israeli OSINT firm Cyberglobes prospects in India

Israel's Cyberglobes, a particularly active exporter of open source intelligence solutions despite its ban from Facebook and other US platforms, has recently been prospecting in India.

United States
33rd Cyber Operations Squadron pushes through with STS as cyber defence and network supplier

The 33rd Cyber Operations Squadron has imposed its choice of native American-owned STS Systems Support as its cyber defence and network supplier, ending a battle that has held up implementation of the contract and undermined the squadron's capacity to protect US Air Force networks for months.

Israel
Cognyte and Omaha police and firefighters' pension fund fall foul of Meta's crusade

A new episode in the tumult shaking the virtual human intelligence sector has been playing out in a New York courtroom this month. The city of Omaha police and firefighters pension fund has accused Cognyte of failing to reveal its activities in the sector, which it says are behind the company's poor stock exchange performance.

The Tech Telegraph
Startup Wyvern hires GEOINT vets, Meta engages privacy lobbyists, Braccioli takes DigitalPlatforms to UAE, NATO's OSINT platform tender

Whether in SIGINT, GEOINT, OSINT or cyber, we report each week on developments great and small in the world of technical intelligence providers.

Edmonton Canada's Wyvern appoints two US vice-presidents

Washington Meta hires specialist lobbyists for crusade against OSINT

Dubai Former Area VP Braccioli takes DigitalPlatforms to UAE

Brussels NATO issues tender for OSINT early warning platform

UAE, United States
Social Links, new ally of OSINT specialist Sicuro Group

The open source intelligence specialist has turned to the Emirati consultancy and security provider to help with its participation in the ISS World gathering in Dubai by entrusting its founder with presenting several case studies.

Israel
'Team Jorge' revelations turn spotlight on avatar market's technological and legal difficulties

The series of investigations published about the cyber influence industry last week by journalists' collective Forbidden Stories put the emphasis on the industry's use of avatars to achieve its ends. Even before this, however, the industry was struggling with a growing number of technical and legal challenges.

Ukraine
Ukraine seeks to jettison Russian OSINT technology

Having relied for many years on free open source technology, some of Russian origin, Ukraine is now looking to develop its own tools in an area that is crucial for its war effort.

Spotlight | Europe, Israel, United States
Meta threat report puts OSINT specialists under the spotlight

The US technology giant's December threat report highlights several open source intelligence (OSINT) firms, from Social Links to Cyberglobes and Avalanche, marking a shift in the relatively benevolent view of the practice observers have taken until now.

United States
Tech giants' woes provide openings for security and intelligence firms

Budgetary cuts are prompting the tech 'big five', collectively known as GAFAM, to externalise intelligence, moderation and counter-disinformation to external providers. A number of firms are now marketing these services.

Spotlight | France, Israel, United States
Virtual HUMINT specialists test new avenues for their avatars

Though increasingly sought after by government intelligence services, virtual human intelligence tools have reached a developmental dead-end. Social media sites have been tracking down avatars responsible for online influence campaigns.

Ukraine
Russian-Dutch OSINT firm Social Links suffers collateral damage from Ukraine war

The Russian-founded open source intelligence company Social Links, which is seeking to distance itself from Moscow, is taking flak over its alleged links to Russian intelligence.