For years, researchers, monetary regulators and journalists worldwide have turned to the Worldwide Consortium of Investigative Journalists’ Offshore Leaks database to trace the sprawling, hidden networks of world offshore finance.
Now, a brand new Utility Programming Interface has made the database — of greater than 810,000 offshore entities in additional than 200 international locations — much more highly effective and accessible.
Funded by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, a German improvement company selling worldwide cooperation, the API permits real-time information sharing and monitoring of helpful possession information by introducing a reconciliation function that helps customers match their very own information, equivalent to names, addresses and company entities, with Offshore Leaks information.
“Our aim was to construct a instrument that enables customers to seamlessly match and enrich their very own information with ours, unlocking new potentialities for uncovering hidden connections in world finance,” mentioned Pierre Romera Zhang, ICIJ’s chief expertise officer.
Automated processing seamlessly enriches datasets, improves accuracy and allows tracing of advanced, cross-border monetary transactions, Romera Zhang mentioned. For anybody engaged on instances involving a number of offshore entities, the instrument accelerates investigations by integrating exterior information sources.
This innovation is a part of ICIJ’s broader dedication to leveraging expertise to drive transparency and accountability. From safe collaborative platforms that join reporters across the globe to large-scale information evaluation strategies utilized in investigations just like the Panama Papers and Pandora Papers, ICIJ has constantly pushed technological boundaries.
With almost 1 / 4 million guests every month, the Offshore Leaks database has already confirmed precious to customers around the globe.
“For anybody engaged on advanced instances with a number of offshore entities, this API will allow automated information reconciliation and streaming investigations by integrating information from a wider vary of sources,” Romera Zhang mentioned.
The API was designed to serve a variety of customers whereas remaining adaptable as expertise evolves.
For ICIJ Government Director Gerard Ryle, the API marks a key evolution within the non-profit information group’s mission to make sure that important info is accessible to all, empowering residents, journalists and establishments to carry energy to account.
“We imagine that entry to dependable info is a basic proper — and important for the well being of democracy,” Ryle mentioned. “With this API, we’re not simply uncovering corruption; we’re giving others the instruments to do it, too.”
