Social media investigations are a type of online research that involves collecting and analyzing information from various social media platforms. This type of investigation can provide valuable insights and information that might not be available from other sources.
Social media investigations are used by Status to:
• Verify the identity, background, or credibility of a person or an organization
• Gather evidence for legal, criminal, or civil cases
• Monitor the activities, behaviors, or opinions of a target group or individual
• Identify potential threats, risks, or opportunities for security, business, or personal purposes
• Assess the reputation, influence, or impact of a brand, product, or service
We follow industry best practices for our social media investigations to ensure they are conducted with caution and professionalism. Some of the questions we consider when conducting this type of investigation include:
• How to respect the privacy and consent of the social media users
• How to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the social media data
• How to avoid bias and discrimination in the analysis and interpretation of the social media data
• How to comply with the relevant laws and regulations in different jurisdictions
To conduct a social media investigation, Status follows these five steps:
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Define the objectives and scope. What are we trying to find out and why? What platforms are we going to focus on? What are the legal and ethical implications of our investigation?
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Identify our target(s). Who are we investigating and what are their online profiles? We use tools like Google, Pipl, Spokeo, or Social Searcher to find relevant information about the target(s), such as their name, location, email, phone number, social media accounts, etc.
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Collect and document the data. Once we have identified our target(s), we collect and document the data from their online activities. We use tools like Hunchly, Webrecorder, or Archive is to capture and preserve web pages, images, videos, posts, comments, etc. We always keep a log of our sources, methods, and findings.
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Analyze and verify the data. After collecting the data, we analyze and verify it for accuracy, relevance, and reliability. We use tools like Maltego, Paliscope, or InVID to visualize, cross-reference, and authenticate the data. We also check for inconsistencies, contradictions, or anomalies in the data.
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Report and present the findings. Finally, we report and present the findings of our investigation in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
Take a Closer Look at Status Investigative Group.
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