
FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about Videris. If you'd like further details or your question isn't answered below, don't hesitate to reach out to our team.
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) is at the heart of what makes Videris different.OSINT is the practice of extracting intelligence from publicly available or licensable data, (also known as open source data).
OSINT taps into a wealth of dynamic, up-to-date data from sources that investigators may not usually have time to look into. This allows investigators to find connections and identify risks that would have otherwise been missed.
The use of OSINT is increasingly recognised as an essential practice by governments and regulators around the world.
Because it’s drawn from publicly available data, OSINT is inherently more ethical than intelligence drawn from many other sources. However, to ensure ethical practice, investigators should ensure that their investigations are carefully targeted.
To ensure that we work as ethically as possible, Blackdot applies several guiding principles to our business.
- Videris can only be used to research publicly available or licensable information. It can’t be used to gather non-public information or to interact with a third party.
- Videris does not collect bulk or non-targeted data to ensure that investigations remain proportionate.
- Videris supports, but does not replace, a human investigator. It does not take investigative decisions.
- Videris enables legal and policy compliance to support consistency, auditability and accountability.
- Blackdot only sells Videris to responsible customers with legitimate use-cases, often required by law or a regulator.
We integrate with a range of sources that you probably already use - as well as some that you may not. These include:
- Search engines
- Corporate records providers
- Social media providers
- Website and domain information
- Phone number information
- Mapping data
- Risk data e.g. OpenSanctions, dark web
Premium data sources are sources provided by external suppliers at an additional cost. We select them specifically to provide high-quality data that is valuable to many of our customers and cannot be found using free online sources.
We also offer the Videris Extension Builder which is a low-code route for organisations to build their own integrations where an API is available.
If you’d like a full list of data sources, please get in touch.
Videris is language and script-independent. In addition to English, the Videris interface is also available in a number of other languages. Please get in touch for further information.
Videris allows investigators to import their own data from a CSV file - whether internal, or from an external system or data source.
The Videris Extension Builder also offers a low-code way for customers to build their own integrations. Investigators can take advantage of the opportunity to combine internet and internal data, with the added benefit of Videris analytics and visualisation tools.
Yes, there are a number of ways to export data from Videris, including PDF charts, CSV data export and the ability to generate document-based reports with sourcing. The system is designed to match the majority of sharing and reporting requirements.
We offer personalised demos and workshops so that you can see the Videris features you’re interested in in action. You can also get in touch with your sales representative to discuss the possibility of a short trial.
Videris is a multi-tenanted SaaS web application hosted on AWS servers in the UK and EU. All that is required is an up-to-date browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. Organisations can deploy Videris to users in seconds and have the ability to authenticate users via Single Sign On and multi-factor authentication for enterprise scaling.
Blackdot has no visibility of search terms queried by an analyst or the results of the search.
Blackdot’s focus is on harnessing the best available technology to enhance – but not replace – the investigator. Videris uses a combination of AI and automation to deliver efficiency and effectiveness gains without sacrificing quality or explainability.

OSINT Insights
Get OSINT insights and Blackdot news by reading our blog.

How Videris underpins a culture of trust at Blue Square Global
Blue Square Global (BSG) is a leading boutique intelligence, investigation and risk advisory firm. Founded in 2007, its team focuses on...
By Rebecca Lindley

2025 National Risk Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing: What are the opportunities for OSINT?
In the same week as Barclays received a £42 million fine for failure to manage money laundering risks, HM Treasury and the UK Home Office...
By Rebecca Lindley

The Power of Community in OSINT with Brett Redman
In this episode of From the Source, Brett Redman, Head of Intelligence at Blackdot, discusses the evolving landscape, the importance of...
By Charli Foreman
More questions?
Book a slot with a member of our team to get answers and see a personalised Videris demo.
