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I’ve been thinking a lot about why conversations around OSINT feel increasingly shallow, even though the tools we use have never been more powerful. We have more data, automation, dashboards and AI-generated summaries than at any point in the history of intelligence. And yet, when I look at how conclusions are drawn, how confidence is expressed, and how often assumptions go unchallenged, I can’t escape a deeply uncomfortable feeling: We are collecting more than ever and thin

Open-source intelligence (OSINT) is entering its most disruptive era yet. What was once a clear, open landscape is splintering into disappearing data, platform restrictions, AI-driven deception, and geopolitical pressure that reshapes information in real time. OSINT is no longer just about collecting data, it’s about surviving a shifting environment that will redefine how investigators work in the next five years.

You think you know Amsterdam? You don’t. Even if you’re born and raised there. For OSINT investigators, analysts, and journalists, searching only for “Amsterdam” means missing half the signal. The city hides behind slang, symbols, codes, and multilingual aliases. This post shows how language masks location, why alias awareness matters, and how Boolean and regex uncover Amsterdam’s hidden digital footprint across the open web, social media, and the dark web.

Intelligence reports turn raw OSINT data into actionable insight. After two decades in the field, one lesson stands out: collection means nothing without clear communication. The real value lies in analysis, connecting patterns, interpreting meaning, and shaping evidence into a coherent narrative. Effective reports guide decision-makers with clarity, structure, and purpose, tailored to the audience’s needs.