In this episode of the Intelligence Spotlight, Baptiste Robert, an ethical hacker and founder of Predictor Lab, discusses the nuances of hacking, the importance of ethical frameworks, and the role of open-source intelligence (OSINT) in modern investigations. He shares his journey from a grey hat hacker to an entrepreneur, emphasising the responsibilities that come with hacking skills. The discussion also covers the ethical considerations in developing investigative tools, the personal impact of working in OSINT, and the future of cybersecurity, highlighting the need for collaboration between the private and public sectors to foster innovation and skill development.

Note: Intel Focus is run fully independently, voluntarily and has no revenue streams. Consider supporting us, our email: info@intelfocus.org

Chapters:

00:00 Understanding Hacking: Beyond Malice

01:28 The Role of Ethical Hacking

02:00 Baptiste Robert: Journey from Hacker to Entrepreneur

09:58 The Birth of Predictor Lab

14:08 The Importance of OSINT in Investigations

17:51 Building Tools for Ethical Use

20:55 Ethical Considerations in Tool Development

30:07 The Personal Impact of OSINT Work

35:00 Mistakes Beginners Make in OSINT and Ethical Hacking

38:53 The Future of Cybersecurity and OSINT

In this conversation, Gemma Terés Arilla discusses the challenges and lessons learned in independent journalism, particularly in the context of leadership, networking, and the impact of censorship. She emphasises the importance of local journalism in rebuilding trust and the need to break away from clichéd narratives in reporting on global issues. The discussion also touches on the role of emergency fellowships in supporting journalists at risk and the interconnectedness of global stories. You can also apply for the fully-funded Rest & Resilience Fellowship announced by Taz Panter Foundation, the deadline is January 15, 2026: https://taz.de/taz-panter-stiftung/rest-resilience-fellowship/!v=2c0b2d3c-7081-46a5-9256-f9fb6ebf81f2/

Note: Intel Focus is run fully independently, voluntarily and has no revenue streams. Consider supporting us, our email: info@intelfocus.org

In this episode, Qais Alamdar and Alice Echtermann explore the pressing issue of disinformation, particularly in the context of Germany. They discuss the evolving landscape of misinformation, the challenges faced by fact-checkers, and the role of technology, especially AI, in exacerbating these issues. Alice shares insights from her work in investigating scams related to humanitarian crises, emphasizing the need for media literacy and the shared responsibility of platforms, journalists, and the public in combating disinformation. The conversation highlights the emotional toll of fact-checking and the importance of critical thinking in the digital age.

00:00 The Impact of Disinformation

03:16 Awareness vs. Capability in Spotting Disinformation

06:00 Emerging Threats in the Age of AI

10:15 Challenges in Fact-Checking Today

11:24 Shared Responsibility in Information Dissemination

14:15 Strengthening Media Literacy and Journalism

16:31 Investigating the Gaza Donation Scam

20:23 The Complexity of Humanitarian Scams

25:03 Identifying Red Flags in Donations

28:12 Balancing Empathy with Verification

32:37 Teaching Media Literacy to Younger Audiences