State of scientific research on the administrative and legal regulation of OSINT functioning in ensuring public order and security in the works of foreign scholars: lessons for Ukraine

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of scientific research devoted to the administrative and legal regulation of OSINT functioning in the field of public order and security. It examines the approaches of foreign scholars who study the use of open-source information, the impact of digital technologies on law enforcement activities, and the ethical, legal, and procedural challenges associated with OSINT operations conducted by public authorities. The findings show that researchers emphasize the need for professional standards, digital competencies, reliable methodologies, and effective procedures for assessing the accuracy of open-source data. Particular attention is given to issues of privacy protection, risks of profiling, transparency of OSINT practices, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence on intelligence-gathering processes. It is argued that AI-based OSINT strengthens analytical capabilities but also intensifies legal risks, which requires harmonized international standards and robust oversight mechanisms. The study notes that Ukrainian legal scholarship lacks comprehensive research on the administrative and legal foundations of OSINT, which highlights the relevance and scientific novelty of further studies in this area. Based on the analysis of foreign literature, the article formulates recommendations for the development of Ukrainian doctrine, including the definition of OSINT actors, procedural requirements for their work, ethical principles, privacy guarantees, and models of independent oversight in the field of public order and security.