Digital footprints: what's public, and what's off-limits

August 14, 2025 · 5 min read

Digital footprints: what's public, and what's off-limits

The boundary between lawful open-source research and unlawful surveillance is clear in principle but often blurred in practice. Understanding this line protects investigators, clients, and subjects alike.

Public information — profiles set to public, published records, open registries — is fair game when collected for legitimate purposes. Private information obtained through deception, unauthorised access, or pretexting is not.

Our lawful-by-design approach means every engagement begins with written scope boundaries. We document what sources are in scope, what methods are permitted, and what the deliverable will contain.