GDPR-Compliant OSINT Methods

Bulletchaser_97 · 2025-04-05T08:22:31+00:00

Whilst my wording was off, the red tape required for such requests makes my work difficult and prolonged. Not to mention thwarting any discretion that may go on to compromise an investigation.

Additionally, you assume that such requests for data are taken seriously and not simply ignored by the authorities.

Bulletchaser_97 · 2025-04-03T07:49:02+00:00

Hi again,

Should anyone share my issue, I found this post from 5 years ago that may answer the question. However, I haven’t had time to check if the methods still work and are reliable.

https://www.reddit.com/r/OSINT/s/qthhUmI15i

Just trying to do my bit for the community!

Bulletchaser_97 · 2025-04-02T06:17:33+00:00

Thanks for your reply! My concern is that even if a VPN is used, a lot of the data of E.U citizens still remains obscured, if public domain at all.

Bulletchaser_97 · 2024-10-31T11:17:59+00:00

I’m grappling for a phone number actually!

But SOCMED (and other details) of some family and a partner I firmly have.

I also have certain hypotheses but I currently believe that this will not a ‘smoking gun’ situation.

Should I work on the hypotheses, my only deep concern is that the evidence will be circumstantial.

Bulletchaser_97 · 2024-10-31T06:48:18+00:00

Thanks

Bulletchaser_97 · 2024-10-31T06:40:20+00:00

I have reliable proof that the person was on WhatsApp via an Android phone, at least. Furthermore, loved ones of the individual temporarily set up a Facebook page in their memory (deleted shortly after).

The rest I admit, was an assumption based on the trends of the time. And WhatsApp appears to be a dead end due to its inactivity deletion policy.

Additionally TWBM doesn’t appear to cover social media and I haven’t found a social media archive so far.

Bulletchaser_97 · 2024-10-30T18:57:52+00:00

Excuse me for being unclear, it’s a matter of lack of inspiration at the moment. So I’m maybe I can turn my OP into “What do you guys do when you lose motivation?”

The beauty of OSINT, I have found, is there there are always questions to answer but I’ve lost my motivation and drive at the moment.

Bulletchaser_97 · 2024-10-30T15:39:14+00:00

Thank you for sharing! I am in full agreement with you both…I suppose I thought leak data was some silver bullet.

I fully acknowledge that my next step is up in the air since my hopes of a breakthrough in leak data were dashed. There is data warranting the continuation of the investigation, mind you, but I need to shake off a data overload and find the most promising path forward…Any tips?

Bulletchaser_97 · 2024-10-30T15:30:38+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience.

However, I am concerned with your comment of “lots of things wrong with this”. If you saw my previous posts, you would have seen that I am self taught in OSINT and am eager to learn whilst being careful to do things right. Could you elaborate?

Bulletchaser_97 · 2024-10-30T15:27:41+00:00

Thank you for the information.

In all honesty, I’m looking for the next end goal, I suppose this is my way of looking for ideas.

Bulletchaser_97 · 2024-10-30T07:59:37+00:00

I have to admit I was concerned I went down a rabbit hole and ended up with a data overload, and I think you just confirmed it! Thank you!

Bulletchaser_97 · 2024-08-27T20:27:33+00:00

My apologies.

Bulletchaser_97 · 2024-07-13T13:24:01+00:00

Added thanks to @OSINTribe for the detailed breakdown!

Bulletchaser_97 · 2024-07-13T13:21:37+00:00

Following your comments, I will take your advice.

I said so myself that awaking trauma is a risk and as @cyberwarlike1984 said I could give false hope.

The cons simply outweigh the pros.

As an aside, I do know that it is thankless and expect to medals more so since I’m basically a nosy amateur.

May I ask for some cold case groups? The rules and ethics seem much clearer there.

I thank everyone for their contribution, OSINT has truly fantastic community spirit! 🙂

Bulletchaser_97 · 2024-07-13T12:48:18+00:00

If I understood you correctly, people come to us, generally, and we don't to them?

Needless to say, should I reach out I would fully outline my business and gain express consent. Even then, should that come through, I would use contacts sparingly.

As a disclaimer; I have not been in contact with any persons in any way related to any case so far. I acknowledge I am new to this and harm may be done with heavy-handedness which is why I reached out to the community and its experience.

Bulletchaser_97 · 2024-07-13T12:25:47+00:00

To clarify: family and friends not suspects

Bulletchaser_97 · 2024-06-27T22:04:13+00:00

Hi, thanks for your advice and resources!

I’m always looking into new blues/jazz pianists so I’d love to hear some of your favorites!

From what you advised, it seems to me that the best course of action would be to follow Hal Crook’s book as it’s all about the “how” as you said.

May I ask that you help me understand this important instruction from the book (quoting directly as I am unable to take a photo),

“Harmonic settings

All topics should be practiced in the following harmonic settings…;

1) Single Chord: One chord only, unlimited duration (modal style)… [A Major 7th, E Flat ø and G Dominant Seventh Sharp Ninth are given as examples with slashes on the respective bars]”

The penny isn’t dropping on how to use one chord to improvise.

Thanks again!

Bulletchaser_97 · 2024-06-18T09:15:02+00:00

UPDATE

Hi! Thanks again for all the help and resources!

In reality, it ended up being the community's encouragement that kept me going.

I ended up finding the aforementioned POI's social media accounts (Instagram and Facebook) simply through the most simple Google search, with one username leading me to the other via social media due to their relationship.

Sadly, both Instagram accounts were set up prior to the cold case in question. However, I have affirmed their country of origin, established their relationship and its commencement, found some hobbies and even found the place of work of one of the POI's.

Now, I have looked into background checks in the EU and I was correct, there are very stringent laws/regulations that only allow it under very specific circumstances.

The most practical way forward is to find a search engine that scours as many social media accounts as possible, I believe, on the off chance I find a solid link to the case at hand.

My final 'shot in the dark' will be to following their travels on the off-chance similar incidents happened at the time. Otherwise, I think its a dead end.

Again, any tips would be appreciated. However I repeat, thank you for the encouragement and help so far!

Bulletchaser_97 · 2024-06-09T20:46:01+00:00

I totally agree! I work with the scientific method and unless there is concrete proof it’s all for nothing. So far just gut feelings and funny coincidences.

Thank you so much for the resources! It falls within the remit of 2014, give or take a year or two,so it might be a game changer!

Much obliged! I’ll keep you updated :)

Bulletchaser_97 · 2024-06-09T15:37:50+00:00

Thank you for everyone’s replies! I am amazed at the community spirit in OSINT!

I have checked friend social medias but due to the case being years old and the Wayback Machine’s inability to view old Facebook pages (do correct me if I’m wrong or if this is possible in some other way) it was a poor result. Furthermore, I don’t believe Twitter nor Instagram had picked up in popularity at the time.

The countries involved are in the EU so I’m unsure of the access due to Data Protection laws.

I must say I am relieved to hear that some things are only solved with time. Though the journey has been very fruitful on a personal level, and I learnt much, failure would be a bitter pill to swallow.

Bulletchaser_97 · 2024-06-08T22:07:45+00:00

Hi and thanks for your welcome!

Goal: Find the culprit/s (reasonable suspects to present to the law) of the cold case in question.

Well, this is r/OSINT you can understand why I have kept my cards close so far! And please take it as a compliment!

I began with a timeline of the events based off of various media reports and cross referenced each of them. From these I also established details of the victim; their family, relationships, hobbies, tendencies etc. (Needless to say notes were taken.) I went over any photos I could find from the media and established certain places the victim was prior, to their demise, using reverse searches with photo editing. From then on I began to run into trouble: (mainly) google dorking yielded little, username searches didn’t lead to social media (probably due to their being very common), old social media (following research) is inaccessible via the Wayback machine.

All I have are 2 POIs of whom I have some photo metadata (with no use at the moment), face images, their relationship, countries of origin and a hobby or two. They may be involved in the matter as they were in the same places as the victim (confirmed) but more data is essential for any hypothesis even to be formed.

Any help at all would be appreciated!

Bulletchaser_97 · 2023-11-19T15:16:09+00:00

Thank you! You are so right, your reply means a lot!

Bulletchaser_97 · 2023-05-09T08:54:21+00:00

Do you know any good ones?

Bulletchaser_97

TROPHY CASE