Many people are confused by the difference between OSINT and alternative data, and rightly. below is a breakdown of the differences. For those looking for more in-depth examples, check out our SubStack write-up.

Open-source intelligence (OSINT) refers to the collection and analysis of publicly available information to support decision-making. This information can come from a wide range of sources, including social media, news websites, government reports, and other public documents. OSINT is typically used by organizations such as intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and businesses to gather information on a particular topic or individual.

Alternative data, on the other hand, refers to data sets that are not typically used in financial analysis, such as satellite imagery, social media posts, and other unconventional sources of information. This data can provide unique insights into market trends and consumer behavior and is often used by hedge funds and other financial firms to gain a competitive advantage.

While both OSINT and alternative data involve the collection and analysis of information from non-traditional sources, there are some key differences between the two. OSINT focuses on publicly available information, while alternative data often include proprietary or hard-to-access data sets. OSINT is typically used for intelligence gathering and decision-making, while alternative data is often used for investment and trading purposes.