OSINT-for-countries/OSINT_in_Cape_Verde

# OSINT in Cape Verde: Legal Information Search and Open Sources  Help make this guide better! If you notice an error, a broken link, or inaccurate information, please contact us at oosintt@proton.me To advertise in the guide, please contact us at oosintt@proton.me ## Table of contents ## Basic OSINT Profile of Cape Verde Cape Verde’s official identifiers, time zones, and domain infrastructure form the foundational layer for any OSINT inquiry targeting the archipelago’s public records. Analysts rely on these constants to correctly scope searches and verify cross-border data points. * ⬛ Official name * **Local**: República de Cabo Verde * **Short**: Cabo Verde * **International**: Republic of Cabo Verde / Cabo Verde * ⬛ ISO codes * **ISO 3166-1 alpha-2**: CV * **ISO 3166-1 alpha-3**: CPV * **ISO 3166-1 numeric**: 132 * ⬛ Telephone code * **Country calling code**: +238 * ⬛ National currency * **Name**: Cape Verdean escudo * **ISO 4217 code**: CVE * **Symbol**: $ * **Minor unit**: centavo (1/100 escudo) * ⬛ Primary and secondary languages * **Primary official language**: Portuguese * **Secondary / minority languages**: Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu) is the most widely spoken vernacular language across the islands * ⬛ Time zones * **Time-zone span**: UTC-1 only (single national time zone) * **Main zone**: Cape Verde Time (CVT), UTC-1; daylight saving time is not observed * ⬛ Date format * **Main official / everyday numeric**: DD/MM/YYYY * **Alternative (legal / technical / database)**: YYYY-MM-DD is the standard international and database-safe format * **Textual form**: 17 de março de 2026 (Portuguese long-date style) * ⬛ Domain zones * **Primary**: .cv * **National**: None in common official use beyond .cv * **Government / state**: .gov.cv * **Educational**: .edu.cv * **Other commonly used second-level spaces**: .com.cv, .net.cv, .org.cv, .int.cv This profile supplies the essential reference points that streamline subsequent verification steps throughout the guide. ## Documents and Citizen Identifiers in Cape Verde Cape Verdean identity documents and numbering systems provide reliable anchors for tracing individuals and entities within open registries. Understanding their formats and issuance history enables precise matching during information collection. * ⬛ Passport — international travel document proving Cape Verdean citizenship and identity outside the country. * **Current biometric passport**: * **Passport number**: * Format: CV******* (2 uppercase Latin letters + 7 digits; 9 characters total) * Example: CV1234567 * **Personal number**: * Format: ********* (9 digits) * Example: 123456789 * **Older non-biometric passport**: * **Passport number**: * Format: CV****** (2 uppercase Latin letters + 6 digits; 8 characters total) * Example: CV123456 * ⬛ ID card — primary domestic identity document for citizens (plastic card with chip). * **Current national ID card**: * **Card number**: * Format: ******** (8 digits) * Example: 12345678 * **Personal number**: * Format: ********* (9 digits) * Example: 123456789 * **Older national ID card**: * **Card number**: * Format: ******** (8 digits) * Example: 12345678 * ⬛ Driver's licence — document confirming the right to drive motor vehicles. * **Current card-based licence**: * **Licence number**: * Format: CV******* (2 uppercase Latin letters + 7 digits; 9 characters total) * Example: CV1234567 * **Personal number**: * Format: ********* (9 digits) * Example: 123456789 * ⬛ Taxpayer Identification Number — used for tax administration (NIF). * **Individuals**: * Format: ********* (9 digits) * Example: 123456789 * **Legal entities**: * Format: ********* (9 digits) * Example: 123456789 * ⬛ Social Security Number — used for social insurance and benefits (NISS). * **Individuals**: * Format: *********** (11 digits) * Example: 12345678901 * ⬛ Biometric Identifiers — captured and stored in document chips. * **Passport chip**: * Fingerprints and facial image stored as digital templates (binary data; not human-readable character strings) * **ID card chip**: * Fingerprints and facial image stored as digital templates (binary data; not human-readable character strings) These identifiers remain central to confirming authenticity across multiple public databases. ## Telecommunications and Connectivity in Cape Verde Mobile numbering plans and operator landscapes in Cape Verde influence how communication metadata can be located through lawful open channels. Registration practices and email services further shape the discoverability of digital footprints. * ⬛ Mobile Number Format * **Number length (including country code)**: 10 digits * **National format**: 9\*\*\-\*\*\*\* * **International format**: +238\-\*\*\*\-\*\*\*\* * **Other features**: Country code (3 digits) + subscriber number (7 digits); mobile numbers typically begin with 9 * ⬛ Major Mobile Operators * **Unitel T+**: mobile GSM codes - 91*, 92*, 95* * **CVMóvel (Cabo Verde Telecom)**: mobile GSM codes - 93*, 96* * ⬛ Virtual Operators (MVNOs) * No widely marketed, stand-alone national MVNO brands are clearly documented as operating with their own numbering resources; the market is primarily represented by the licensed mobile network operators listed above * ⬛ eSIM Availability * **eSIM support status**: Available from major national operators (Unitel T+, CVMóvel) * **Activation format**: * QR code scan * Activation via operator app or portal * ⬛ SIM Registration * **General rule**: SIM/eSIM is tied to an identified subscriber (ID-based registration), not anonymous retail issuance * **Local citizens**: National ID card * **Foreign citizens**: Foreign passport (exact requirements vary by operator and product) * ⬛ Popular Email Services * **Google (Gmail)**: @gmail.com * **Microsoft (Outlook / Hotmail)**: @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com * **Yahoo (Yahoo Mail)**: @yahoo.com * **Proton AG (Proton Mail)**: @proton.me, @protonmail.com Such connectivity details guide analysts toward the most productive search vectors while staying within legal limits. ## Social Media and Messaging Platforms in Cape Verde Cape Verde’s social media and messaging environment reflects both global platforms and localized usage patterns that affect open-source monitoring. Mapping these channels helps identify where public discourse and personal indicators are most visible. ### Social Networks in Cape Verde Major international networks dominate Cape Verdean online interaction, supplemented by niche local communities that surface regional insights. Profiling these spaces supports targeted collection of publicly shared content. #### Main Social Networks * ⬛ [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/) * **Description**: Social network with user profiles, pages, groups, events, and mixed-media posts. * **Popularity**: Very high; dominant platform for personal connections, community groups, and local news sharing. * **Locality**: No — global platform. * **Ease of information discovery**: High — public pages, groups, and searchable posts provide extensive open data on individuals and events. * **Restrictions**: Currently accessible with no nationwide blocks reported. * ⬛ [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/) * **Description**: Video-sharing platform with channels, subscriptions, comments, and live streams. * **Popularity**: Very high; widely used for entertainment, music, and local video content. * **Locality**: No — global platform. * **Ease of information discovery**: High — strong search by channel, video title, and comments; public content is easily indexed. * **Restrictions**: Currently accessible with no nationwide blocks reported. * ⬛ [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/) * **Description**: Photo and short-form video social network with profiles, posts, Reels, stories, hashtags, and geotagging. * **Popularity**: High; popular among younger users for visual content and lifestyle sharing. * **Locality**: No — global platform. * **Ease of information discovery**: Medium — public profiles and hashtags allow discovery, though many accounts are private. * **Restrictions**: Currently accessible with no nationwide blocks reported. * ⬛ [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/) * **Description**: Short-form video social platform with algorithmic feed, creator profiles, comments, and live streams. * **Popularity**: Medium–high; growing rapidly among younger demographics for entertainment and trends. * **Locality**: No — global platform. * **Ease of information discovery**: Medium — public videos and usernames are searchable, but algorithmic nature limits consistent indexing. * **Restrictions**: Currently accessible with no nationwide blocks reported. #### Regional Social Networks No significant regional social networks are used predominantly in Cape Verde. #### Major Specialized Social Networks * ⬛ [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/) * **Description**: Professional networking platform focused on careers, resumes, and business connections. * **Popularity**: Medium; used primarily by professionals, expatriates, and those seeking international opportunities. * **Locality**: No — global platform. * **Ease of information discovery**: Medium — many profiles are public with structured employment data, though full details often require login. * **Restrictions**: Currently accessible with no nationwide blocks reported. These networks collectively expand the surface area available for lawful OSINT activity. ### Messaging Apps in Cape Verde Widely adopted messaging applications in Cape Verde facilitate both personal and commercial exchanges visible through open channels. Recognizing primary and secondary apps assists in locating relevant public groups and channels. #### Main Messaging Apps * ⬛ [WhatsApp](https://www.whatsapp.com/) * **Description**: Mobile-first messaging and calling app built around phone-number identity. * **Popularity**: Very high; primary tool for personal, family, and business communication across the islands. * **Locality**: No — global platform. * **Ease of information discovery**: Low — communications are primarily private; limited public surface beyond status updates or business profiles. * **Restrictions**: Currently accessible with no nationwide blocks reported. * ⬛ [Telegram](https://telegram.org/) * **Description**: Cloud-based messaging platform with private chats, groups, and broadcast channels. * **Popularity**: Medium; used for group discussions, news channels, and communities. * **Locality**: No — global platform. * **Ease of information discovery**: High — public channels and groups offer searchable open content. * **Restrictions**: Currently accessible with no nationwide blocks reported. #### Regional Messaging Apps No significant regional messaging apps are used predominantly in Cape Verde. These tools complete the communication map essential for comprehensive open-source monitoring. ## Search Engines and Local Internet in Cape Verde Cape Verdean search preferences and map-based tools determine how efficiently analysts can surface locally hosted content. Alternative engines and thematic portals add depth to standard queries. ### Main Search Engines * ⬛ [Google](https://www.google.com/) * **Description**: The dominant global search engine providing web, image, news, video and map results with strong multilingual support including Portuguese. * **Popularity**: Very high – overwhelmingly the primary search service used in Cape Verde. * **Locality**: Global; serves Cape Verdean users in Portuguese, English and other languages. * **Ease of information discovery**: Very high – delivers relevant local results from Cape Verdean sites, news and public records; essential baseline tool for OSINT. * **Restrictions**: Fully accessible; no government-imposed blocks or content filtering on search results. * ⬛ [Bing](https://www.bing.com/) * **Description**: Microsoft’s web search engine with integrated image, video and news results plus AI-assisted answers. * **Popularity**: Low – minor share of usage. * **Locality**: Global; not localized specifically for Cape Verde. * **Ease of information discovery**: Moderate – adequate for general and English-language sources but weaker coverage of Portuguese-language Cape Verdean content. * **Restrictions**: Fully accessible; standard content policies apply with no Cape Verde-specific censorship. ### Alternative Search Engines * ⬛ [DuckDuckGo](https://duckduckgo.com/) * **Description**: Privacy-focused meta-search engine that aggregates results without tracking users. * **Popularity**: Very low – used by a small niche of privacy-conscious users. * **Locality**: Global; no Cape Verdean interface or localization. * **Ease of information discovery**: Moderate – useful for unbiased general searches but limited depth on local Portuguese sources. * **Restrictions**: Fully accessible; no tracking or local filtering. * ⬛ [Yahoo](https://search.yahoo.com/) * **Description**: Web search portal powered by Bing with additional news and directory features. * **Popularity**: Negligible – minimal current usage. * **Locality**: Global; not tailored to Cape Verde. * **Ease of information discovery**: Low – largely overlaps with Bing results and offers little additional local coverage. * **Restrictions**: Fully accessible; standard filters only. ### Map Search * ⬛ [Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/) * **Description**: Comprehensive mapping service with street maps, satellite imagery, business listings and navigation. * **Popularity**: Very high – primary mapping platform for residents and researchers. * **Locality**: Global; covers Cape Verde’s islands, roads and points of interest with Portuguese interface support. * **Ease of information discovery**: Very high – excellent for address verification, geolocation of organizations and infrastructure analysis. * **Restrictions**: Fully accessible; user-generated content and map data not subject to local censorship. * ⬛ [OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/) * **Description**: Collaborative open-source mapping project with editable geographic data and routing tools. * **Popularity**: Moderate among technical and open-data users. * **Locality**: Global; community-maintained coverage of Cape Verde. * **Ease of information discovery**: High – valuable for detailed, license-free geospatial data and verification of official maps. * **Restrictions**: Fully accessible; no usage restrictions. ### Local-specific search * ⬛ Specific search and tools * [NIC Cabo Verde](https://www.nic.cv/) – Official registry for .cv domain names; useful for WHOIS lookups and domain ownership verification. * [Portal do Governo](https://www.governo.cv/) – Central government portal aggregating official announcements, legislation and institutional contacts. * [INE – Instituto Nacional de Estatística](https://ine.cv/) – National statistics institute providing census, demographic and economic open datasets. * [Correios de Cabo Verde](https://www.correios.cv/) – National postal service with branch locator and postcode search for address verification. * [Base de Dados de Empresas](https://www.empresas.cv/) – Public commercial registry search for registered companies and legal entities. This layer of the internet landscape refines discovery strategies for country-specific data. ## Government and Semi-Official Online Services in Cape Verde Public registries covering companies, property, licenses, and judicial records constitute core resources for Cape Verde OSINT. Systematic access to these portals supports verification of legal and economic entities. * ⬛ Services for checking companies and entrepreneurs * **[Portal Único do Empreendedor](https://www.portaldocliente.gov.cv/)** – Official government platform providing access to the commercial registry (Registo Comercial) for legal entities and individual entrepreneurs; allows verification of company status, registration details and basic identification data. * **[Cabo Verde Trade Portal](https://www.caboverde.eregulations.org/)** – Unified business registry and licensing information maintained by the Ministry of Economy; searchable data on registered commercial entities and regulatory requirements. * ⬛ Services for court decisions and trial results * **[Tribunais de Cabo Verde](https://www.tribunais.cv/)** – Official judiciary portal with information on court structure, selected judgments and procedural data from courts of first instance and higher courts. * ⬛ Real Estate and Cadastral registers * **[Direção Geral do Património do Estado](https://www.mf.gov.cv/)** – State property and land registry information managed under the Ministry of Finance; provides access to public cadastral records and state-owned real estate data where available. * ⬛ Services for checking driver’s licenses and driving licenses * **[Direção Nacional de Viação e Transportes Terrestres](https://www.mir.gov.cv/)** – Ministry of Internal Administration portal section for traffic and transport services; limited public verification of vehicle registration status and driver licensing information through official channels. * ⬛ Services for checking tax status * **[Direção-Geral dos Impostos](https://www.dgi.gov.cv/)** – Official tax authority site offering public access to tax identification verification (NIF) and basic taxpayer status information for legal entities. * ⬛ Public lists of licenses, certificates * **[Portal de Licenças e Autorizações](https://www.portaldocliente.gov.cv/)** – Central registry of business licenses and permits issued by various ministries; searchable lists of authorized activities and certificate validity for commercial operators. * ⬛ Services for checking public officials, government data registers * **[Portal do Governo de Cabo Verde](https://www.gov.cv/)** – Official government site publishing lists of public institutions, office holders and selected transparency reports; no centralized searchable database of asset declarations for civil servants. * ⬛ Portals of open data and datasets in various directions * **[Portal de Dados Abertos de Cabo Verde](https://dados.gov.cv/)** – National open data platform hosting government datasets on economy, demographics, public finance and administrative statistics. * **[Instituto Nacional de Estatística](https://ine.cv/)** – Official statistics agency publishing census data, economic indicators, sectoral reports and national statistical publications. * ⬛ Other key information verification services * **[Boletim Oficial](https://kiosque.gov.cv/)** – Official gazette containing legal acts, company registrations, public notices and regulatory announcements; primary source for formal publication of administrative and corporate information. These services anchor many investigative workflows with authoritative open data. ## Geography and Addressing System in Cape Verde Cape Verde’s island geography and addressing conventions influence how location-based records are structured and retrieved. Postal formats and administrative divisions provide context for spatial searches. * ⬛ Format of addresses * **Key elements**: * Addressee’s name (for individuals: full name; for organizations: company name). * Street type and name, building number (número). * Neighborhood (bairro) or zone. * City or town (cidade). * Island (ilha) name. * Postal code. * **Examples**: * João Mendes Silva, Rua 5 de Julho, nº 42, Bairro Craveiro Lopes, Praia, Ilha de Santiago, 7600. * Empresa Exemplo Lda, Avenida Amílcar Cabral, nº 15, Bairro do Palmarejo, Mindelo, Ilha de São Vicente, 2110. * ⬛ Postal codes * **Length**: Four digits - **** * **Key elements**: * First digit indicates the island group or main island. * Remaining digits specify the locality or post office within the island. * **Examples**: * 7600 - Praia area, Santiago. * 2110 - Mindelo area, São Vicente. * 4110 - Sal Rei area, Boa Vista. * ⬛ Administrative division * **Level formats**: * Country → Island (ilha) → Municipality (concelho) → Settlement or parish (freguesia). * **Main levels**: * 9 inhabited islands (ilhas). * 22 municipalities (concelhos). * Multiple parishes (freguesias) within municipalities. * ⬛ Street and district naming conventions * **Common street types**: * Rua (street, abbr. “Rua”). * Avenida (avenue, abbr. “Av.”). * Praça (square, abbr. “Praça”). * Bairro (neighborhood). * Ilha (island). * **Examples**: * Rua 5 de Julho, nº 42. * Av. Amílcar Cabral, nº 15. * Bairro Craveiro Lopes. * ⬛ Alphabet usage * Official addresses use the Portuguese Latin alphabet. * Domestic mail must be written in Portuguese using Latin script. * Latin letters and Arabic numerals are standard; no other scripts are used in official addressing. Accurate geographic framing prevents mismatches when correlating addresses with other datasets. ## Business and Economy of Cape Verde Corporate registration practices and publicly disclosed filings in Cape Verde reveal ownership structures and economic activity. Access to these records aids in mapping commercial networks. * ⬛ Forms of ownership and business * **Individual Entrepreneur (Empresário em Nome Individual)** – A sole proprietor registered to conduct commercial activity without forming a separate legal entity; personal liability is unlimited. * **Limited Liability Company (Sociedade por Quotas, Lda.)** – The most common corporate form; one or more quotaholders whose liability is limited to the value of their contributions. * **Public Limited Company (Sociedade Anónima, S.A.)** – A share-capital company that may be publicly listed or privately held; shareholders’ liability is limited to the nominal value of their shares. * **Simplified Limited Company (Sociedade Unipessoal por Quotas)** – A single-member limited company with the same liability rules as a standard Lda. * **Cooperative (Cooperativa)** – A member-owned entity for mutual economic or social purposes, governed by specific cooperative legislation. * **Non-profit organisations (Associações and Fundações)** – Legal entities established for social, cultural or charitable objectives that do not distribute profits to founders or members. * ⬛ How business is registered * Commercial entities are registered through the Commercial Registry (Registo Comercial) under the one-stop “Empresa no Dia” service operated by the Ministry of Economy. * Registration can be completed online via the government portal or in person at designated registry offices; processing normally takes one to two working days. * Required documents for an Lda. typically include the articles of association, proof of legal address, identification of quotaholders and managers, and payment of the registration fee. * An Individual Entrepreneur registers with a valid identity document, proof of address and a statement of intended economic activities. * All entities receive a unique Tax Identification Number (NIF) and are classified according to the national activity code (CAE) system. * ⬛ What is published publicly * The Commercial Registry publishes the company’s full and abbreviated name, legal form, registration number, date of incorporation and current status (active, dissolved, etc.). * Public data also include the registered office address, names of directors or managers, and the amount of share or quota capital. * Changes to registered particulars (address, management, capital) are recorded and remain accessible in the registry history. * Certain licences and authorisations for regulated sectors are noted in the registry or published in the Official Gazette (Boletim Oficial). * ⬛ Availability of financial reports * Annual financial statements are filed with the tax authorities but are not centrally published for private companies. * Only entities listed on the Cape Verde Stock Exchange or subject to specific sectoral regulation (banks, insurance companies) are required to publish audited accounts. * Researchers therefore have no routine public access to detailed balance sheets or profit-and-loss statements of ordinary commercial entities. Such transparency supports due-diligence processes grounded in open sources. ## Media and News in Cape Verde Cape Verdean media outlets and archival collections offer contextual background for events and entities under study. Language considerations and regional coverage patterns affect source selection. * ⬛ Key Media * [Inforpress](https://www.inforpress.cv) – State-owned national news agency providing official coverage of government, politics and international affairs in Portuguese. * [Expresso das Ilhas](https://expressodasilhas.cv) – Leading independent online newspaper covering national politics, economy and society. * [A Semana](https://www.asemana.publ.cv) – Long-established weekly with daily online edition focusing on investigative reporting and current affairs. * [A Nação](https://anacao.cv) – Daily digital outlet publishing general news and opinion pieces. * [RTC](https://www.rtc.cv) – Public broadcaster operating television and radio news services with online presence. * ⬛ Regional Portals * Limited dedicated regional portals exist; most coverage of island-specific events is handled by national outlets with local correspondents. * ⬛ News Archives * [Wayback Machine](https://archive.org/web) – Preserves historical snapshots of major Cape Verdean news websites. * [Biblioteca Nacional de Cabo Verde](https://bn.cv) – National library maintaining physical and some digitised collections of historical newspapers. * ⬛ Publication Languages * **Main language**: Portuguese – Primary language of virtually all national media and official reporting. * **Other languages**: Cape Verdean Creole appears occasionally in cultural or community content; English is used selectively in tourism-related or international-facing publications. * ⬛ Censorship and Press Freedom * **Repression level**: Cape Verde maintains one of the freest media environments in Africa; RSF 2024 Press Freedom Index ranks it 23rd globally. * **Legislation**: Constitutional guarantees of press freedom are generally respected with no systemic state censorship. * **Media landscape**: Independent outlets operate without significant interference; self-censorship remains low. * **Internet controls**: No routine blocking of news sites; online access to domestic and foreign media is unrestricted. These outlets enrich situational awareness derived from open information. ## Major Local Data Platforms in Cape Verde Marketplaces, review sites, and job platforms active in Cape Verde generate user-generated content useful for cross-referencing. Monitoring these spaces uncovers additional public signals. They extend the reach of conventional search methods into everyday economic interactions. ## Archival Data in Cape Verde Historical registries and digitized state archives in Cape Verde preserve earlier records that may still hold investigative value. Systematic review of these collections can surface longitudinal patterns. * ⬛ Website archives * [Wayback Machine](https://web.archive.org) – Global web archive containing historical snapshots of Cape Verde government, media and institutional websites. * [Archive.today](https://archive.today) – Independent service providing on-demand and historical captures of Cape Verdean webpages. * ⬛ Historical data registries * [FamilySearch](https://www.familysearch.org) – Digitised civil registration, parish and census records covering Cape Verde from the 19th century onward. * [Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE)](https://ine.cv) – Official repository of historical census results, demographic surveys and statistical yearbooks. * ⬛ Government digital archives * [Portal do Governo](https://www.governo.cv) – Central government site hosting official gazettes, policy documents and historical administrative publications. * [Biblioteca Nacional de Cabo Verde](https://bncv.gov.cv) – National library collections including digitised newspapers, official bulletins and historical monographs. Archival access therefore complements contemporary open-source efforts. ## Cultural and Behavioral Characteristics of Cape Verde Cape Verdean cultural norms shape online expression and information-sharing habits relevant to OSINT. Recognizing these traits improves interpretation of publicly posted material. * ⬛ Noticeable Behavioral Differences * **Morabeza hospitality pattern**: Social and professional interactions typically begin with extended personal rapport-building and offers of food or drink, reflecting the cultural value of "morabeza" (warmth and generosity) before substantive topics are addressed ([Source](https://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Cape-Verde.html)). * **Code-switching between Portuguese and Creole**: Formal, official, or written communication predominantly uses Portuguese, while everyday and community-level exchanges rely on Cape Verdean Creole, requiring analysts to account for language shifts in open-source collection ([Source](https://www.britannica.com/place/Cape-Verde)). * **Diaspora-oriented information networks**: Individuals frequently maintain active transnational family ties, leading to information flows that cross borders via remittances, social media, and return visits more than in many non-island nations ([Source](https://www.migrationpolicy.org/resource/cape-verde-migration-and-development)). * **Relaxed time orientation in interactions**: Punctuality is less rigidly observed in informal and some business settings compared to Northern European norms, affecting scheduling and follow-up expectations in research contexts ([Source](https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/cape-verde-guide)). * ⬛ Key Cultural Characteristics * **Creole cultural synthesis**: A distinct Afro-Portuguese creole identity shapes communication styles, blending West African oral traditions with European administrative practices and influencing how public and private information is shared ([Source](https://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Cape-Verde.html)). * **Central role of music and oral transmission**: Genres such as morna serve as vehicles for historical memory and social commentary, providing analysts with culturally embedded open sources beyond written records ([Source](https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/morna-cultural-practices-01390)). * **High transnational connectivity**: Sustained emigration has created dense global family networks that amplify the use of international platforms alongside local media for information exchange ([Source](https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/caboverde/overview)). Such awareness reduces misreading of context during analysis. ## Religious Characteristics of Cape Verde * ⬛ Religious characteristics * **Predominantly Roman Catholic population**: Approximately 77% of Cape Verdeans identify as Roman Catholic, making Catholicism the dominant religious affiliation and a key element of national cultural identity, particularly in rural communities and among older generations ([Source](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cape-verde/)). * **Growing Protestant and evangelical presence**: Around 10% of the population belongs to Protestant or evangelical denominations, with notable expansion since the 1990s driven by missionary activity and urban migration; these groups are concentrated in Praia and Mindelo ([Source](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cape-verde/), [Source](https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/)). * **Secular constitutional framework**: The 1992 Constitution (Article 27) guarantees freedom of religion, prohibits religious discrimination, and establishes separation of church and state, with no official state religion and equal legal treatment for all registered faiths ([Source](https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Cape_Verde_1992)). * **Syncretic practices and traditional beliefs**: A portion of the population combines Catholic rituals with residual African spiritual traditions, especially in funerary customs and festivals; these elements are often recorded in ethnographic studies rather than formal census data ([Source](https://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Cape-Verde.html)). * **Small religious minorities**: Less than 5% of residents identify with other faiths, including Islam, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Muslim communities are primarily composed of West African migrants and are centered in urban ports ([Source](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cape-verde/)). * **Low regular religious observance**: Surveys indicate that while nominal affiliation remains high, weekly attendance at religious services is modest, reflecting a largely cultural rather than strictly devotional approach to religion among the majority ([Source](https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/)). These characteristics add another interpretive dimension to open-source findings. ## Limitations and Legal Framework in Cape Verde Cape Verde’s data-protection rules define the boundaries of permissible open-source collection and publication. Awareness of these constraints ensures all research remains lawful and ethical. * ⬛ What is considered personal data * **Law No. 133/V/2001 on the Protection of Personal Data** – Regulates the collection, processing, storage, and cross-border transfer of personal data. * **Personal data** – Any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (full name, date of birth, identification numbers, address, telephone, email, IP address, geolocation). * **Biometric data** – Physiological or biological characteristics used for identification (facial images, fingerprints). * **Special categories of data** – Information concerning racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, health, and private life. * **Data subject consent** – Primary legal basis for processing unless another lawful ground is established by law. * ⬛ What is allowed to search * **Law No. 133/V/2001 on the Protection of Personal Data** – Permits processing of personal data when it is publicly available or processed under a lawful basis. * **Public state registers** (commercial registry, land registry, court decisions, and official gazettes) accessible through government portals. * **Open data portals** and official publications released by Cape Verdean authorities. * **Publicly available information** voluntarily disclosed by users on websites, forums, and social media platforms. * **Media sources**, academic publications, statistical data, and analytical reports. * **Data accessed** in compliance with platform terms of service and applicable licensing conditions. * **Anonymized and aggregated datasets** that do not permit identification of individuals. * ⬛ What is prohibited to search * **Law No. 133/V/2001 on the Protection of Personal Data** – Prohibits collection and processing of personal data without a legal basis or consent of the data subject. * **Criminal Code of Cape Verde, Article 192** – Violation of privacy through illegal collection or dissemination of personal or family information. * **Criminal Code of Cape Verde, Article 268** – Unauthorized access to computer systems and protected information. * **Acquisition, purchase, distribution, or use** of leaked databases containing personal data. * **Accessing restricted or confidential information** through hacking, social engineering, or circumvention of access controls. * **Processing special categories of personal data** without an explicit legal basis. * ⬛ Liability for abuse * **Law No. 133/V/2001 on the Protection of Personal Data** – Administrative fines for unlawful processing or inadequate protection of personal data. * **Criminal Code, Article 192** – Criminal liability for violation of privacy (fines, community service, or imprisonment). * **Criminal Code, Article 268** – Penalties for unauthorized access to computer information (fines or imprisonment). * **Civil liability** – Compensation for material and non-material damages resulting from unlawful data processing. * **Regulatory measures** – Restriction or blocking of information resources that violate national data protection legislation. Adherence to the framework safeguards both analysts and subjects throughout the investigative process. ## Disclaimer and Legal Notice This material is provided for informational, educational, and research purposes only. All information referenced in this document is intended to be collected from publicly available open sources, official registers, public websites, media publications, open data portals, and other legally accessible resources. No personal data should be collected, stored, processed, shared, or published without a valid legal basis, consent, or another lawful justification. Any examples, methods, or references described in this material must be used only within legal and ethical boundaries. The authors and publishers of this document do not provide legal advice and do not accept responsibility for any misuse of the information, tools, links, or methods mentioned. Users act at their own risk and are solely responsible for how they interpret and apply the information. If any data source, link, or method mentioned in this document becomes restricted, outdated, inaccurate, or legally unavailable, it should not be used. Always verify information through official sources and respect privacy, security, and human rights. [Go back to the catalog of countries](https://github.com/OSINT-for-countries)