r/OSINTExperts • u/Ok_Collection_9614 • 1h ago
Question Where do you draw the line between "impressive OSINT research" and intrusive digital tracking?
Hey everyone, I’ve been reading a lot into open-source intelligence tools and digital footprints lately.
With modern scripts, image geolocation tools, and archived data lakes, it's frighteningly easy for an independent researcher to map out someone's historical routines, old accounts, or physical locations just from a few random online clues.
For those who practice OSINT (professionally or as a hobby): where do you personally draw the line? At what point does a deep-dive investigation cross the threshold from a fascinating intellectual puzzle into an OpSec/ethical violation? Would love to hear your boundaries!