HIGHLIGHTS: Eliot Higgins

Open-source investigation utilizes publicly available data—ranging from social media posts and satellite imagery to marine and flight traffic—to uncover war crimes, track criminal activity, and expose state-level disinformation. Eliot Higgins, founder of the investigative collective Bellingcat, explains how the field has evolved from simple geolocation of YouTube clips in 2012 to utilizing advanced satellite tasking and infrared heat mapping. This shift in the information landscape, moving from elite-controlled media to a peer-to-peer system, prioritizes engagement over factual accuracy, fueling the rise of conspiratorial and authoritarian narratives. Consequently, investigators face significant security risks and travel restrictions due to the political backlash against their work. By leveraging specific hobbies and niche communities, open-source researchers effectively bypass traditional information gatekeepers to hold powerful actors accountable in an increasingly polarized digital environment.