Overview
In the United States, every person (yes, even you!) accumulates publicly available records that document aspects of their lives. Voter registrations, legal and property records, and business filings are just a few examples of information accessible not only to researchers, but also to journalists, public advocates, and—well—anyone!
When an individual or organization rises to a place of public prominence—electorally, in business, or otherwise—interest in those documents increases accordingly. Importantly, ethical targets of competitive intelligence/opposition research do NOT include random private citizens or other persons. Projects focus on businesses and public officials and figures, as well as the individuals or groups who directly influence them.
Our approach
Drawing from a journalism-centered background, Keystone Intelligence first and foremost believes in the public’s right to know who is influencing the decisions that impact our communities and institutions.
While laypeople may perceive competitive intelligence/opposition research as simply “digging for dirt,” the reality is much more nuanced. At its best, this work is a strategic instrument of accountability—an arrow in the quiver of informed democracy and business excellence. By gathering and contextualizing actionable information, Keystone Intelligence helps ensure that key stakeholders can make decisions rooted in truth.
Same definition, different contexts
“Competitive intelligence” refers to the collection and analysis of publicly available information to uncover relevant, fact-based patterns and narratives. This term is most commonly used within business contexts. Companies conduct this type of research for a variety of due-diligence purposes, many of which are never made public. Alternatively, such research can be used to inform investor campaigns or public-pressure initiatives against a competitor.
“Opposition research” shares similar methods to competitive intelligence but typically serves political or advocacy clientele. Findings can be used for anything from closed-door campaign strategy or releasing damaging information to the public through press outreach, digital content, or other communication channels.
Competitive intelligence is NOT private investigation
Many people confuse competitive intelligence/opposition research with private investigatory services. Keystone Intelligence is NOT licensed to perform these services and therefore, as a matter of law, does NOT engage in private surveillance activity.
Some of the key differences between private investigation and competitive intelligence/opposition research are as follows:
- Purpose and Context: Competitive intelligence/opposition research is used to inform business, electoral, and other public decisions rather than settle interpersonal conflict. While opposition researchers in particular sometimes engage in what is known as tracking—recording a target’s public appearance for later use—some private investigatory methods such as staking out private residences or combing through a target’s garbage are not typically considered ethical.
- Sourcing and Transparency: Competitive intelligence/opposition research is often intended for use in public settings where citations and sourcing are subject to external scrutiny. Private investigators may produce accurate findings, but those findings often lack verifiable or citable origin and are therefore unusable in many public-facing contexts.
- Strategy-First: Private investigators are often focused on obtaining specific evidence of a particular act rather than compiling and analyzing a critical mass of public information for use in private or public strategy.
Leave a Reply