Bellingcat (OSINT)

DLaurent

Well-known member
Here's a great little link to analyse faked/photoshopped photographs.


I'll try to find some from news stories I believe to have been manipulated.
 

DannyL

Wild Horses
I'm a big fan. Their book is out very soon I believe. I really liked the podcast about the shooting down of flight MH17 - I thought was amazing how they systematically proved that the Ukranian rebels did it and Russia covered it up.

I think it's increasingly important atm when disinformation, organised trolling and propaganda are so rife. It feels like the future of journalism to me.

If you like them, you'd probably enjoy this episode of this podcast: https://thefirethisti.me/2021/01/26/59-60-anti-fascism-and-the-future-of-complex-warfare/
 

DLaurent

Well-known member
Cheers I'll give it a listen. I forgot about MH17. Weird synchronicity there for me too. I remember it well. Buk missile. I'd just posted on a film forum about Ukraine after it had been out of the news for months then it happened the next day.
 

luka

Well-known member
looks suss to me that site anyway, just at a glance. the russia fixation i guess makes me go hmmm, what actually is going on here. i'll research it, see what i can find out. maybe everything is above board but it looks shonky
 

version

Well-known member
I've heard it suggested bellingcat are controlled opposition/linked with the security services, but the people who suggested it say that about pretty much everyone.
 

DannyL

Wild Horses
Dlaurent: Don't worry too much about Luka. He gets very reactionary when people start challenging conspiracy theories.

Luke: Not trying to start a fight but you do do this. You were doing it last week with the Qanon people. It's like you feel personally affronted when people start challenging this stuff. Maybe you were pissed when you wrote that idk.
 
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DannyL

Wild Horses
I've heard it suggested bellingcat are controlled opposition/linked with the security services, but the people who suggested it say that about pretty much everyone.
They identified the Skirpal poisoners so the Russian state-affiliated networks do have it in for them. They did prior to that anyway but that was a big one.

Recently they've done a big investigation into the FSB team that tried to kill Navalny. They actually got him to speak to one of the poisoning team which is completely bananas. You're gonna see lots of counter-propaganda and smear attempts.

Edit: here's the audio. I watched the video but that's disappeared for now:

I do wonder sometimes if people realise how much effort goes into this stuff - there was a massive, massive attempt that largely worked to smear the White Helmets for instance. These are pretty big state led efforts. And it works - even here, there's a shred of "reasonable doubt" attached to their findings. I know it's only a shred but....
 
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DannyL

Wild Horses
I'm sure they're the tip of the iceberg as well. Must be lots of people doing this stuff now as the tech is so accessible. A friend mentioned some people he knew had been uncovering white nationalists in the experimental music scene via this stuff.
 

luka

Well-known member
Dlaurent: Don't worry too much about Luka. He gets very reactionary when people start challenging conspiracy theories.

Luke: Not trying to start a fight but you do do this. You were doing it last week with the Qanon people. It's like you feel personally affronted when people start challenging this stuff. Maybe you were pissed when you wrote that idk.
just gave my sense of it as i glanced at the front page. it looks suss. that's not to say it's all lies, just that it probably isnt what it says it is.

i havent drunk at all this year. not a drop.
 

DannyL

Wild Horses
Congrats! I'm enjoying a few beers in lockdown but I don't go heavy anyway, not anymore.

They're pretty clear about what they are if you read through it. You can track Eliot Higgin's life fairly clearly.
 

luka

Well-known member
well, i wont start a massive social media harresment campaign against them just yet in that case.
 
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