Valuing Open Source Intelligence on human rights abuses

Research Context: Between Satellite Imagery and Social Media: In an increasingly digitized world, information regarding war, human rights violations, and displacement is accessible to almost everyone. Whether it is satellite imagery of troop movements or smartphone videos of war crimes uploaded to social media, "Open-Source Intelligence" (OSINT) promises to democratize the production of knowledge. In an era often defined by "fake news," OSINT is frequently viewed as a neutral, scientific tool that ensures transparency. However, behind the data stand people, organizations, and social networks. A growing number of actors and activists utilize these methods, each bringing their own interests, political perspectives, and systems of valuation. The VALOSINT project is the first to systematically investigate the social values and ethical dilemmas emerging in this high-stakes field at the intersection of science, security policy, and digital activism. Research Questions: What Makes Data Valuable? Focusing on the OSINT documentation of human rights abuses and displacement in Ukraine, the project explores three core questions: How is publicly accessible data transformed into something valuable whether as legal evidence for courts, intelligence for security services, or journalistic fact-checking? What ethical conflicts arise for the practitioners involved? How can concepts such as "data solidarity" help to shape OSINT practices into a morally responsible discipline? Methodology: A Look Behind the Scenes: The project employs a qualitative approach known as "valuography." Through interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, the research looks directly over the shoulders of analysts within OSINT organizations. These qualitative findings will then be validated through a broad survey across various OSINT networks to highlight differences across diverse institutional and international contexts. Innovation and Societal Benefit: VALOSINT offers innovative insights into the social and ethical drivers of OSINT. The project moves beyond pure theory to develop concrete ethical guidelines aimed at preventing the misuse of the "OSINT" label. In doing so, it contributes significantly to placing the production of knowledge about war and displacement on a stable, democratic, and ethically reflective foundation.