--- title: North Data Blog description: North Data news, investigations, insights and more. image: https://blog.northdata.com/hubfs/Blog%20Thumbnail.png --- [Skip to content](https://blog.northdata.com/all#main-content) Subscribe to the blog ## Subscribe to the blog [![North Data](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/NDBlog/images/northdata-logo.png?width=600&name=northdata-logo.png "North Data")](https://www.northdata.com/) [![North Data Blog](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/NDBlog/images/blog-logo.png?width=180&name=blog-logo.png "North Data Blog")](https://blog.northdata.com/) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. - [Decoding Registers](https://blog.northdata.com/tag/decoding-registers) - [Behind The Code](https://blog.northdata.com/tag/behind-the-code) - [Crime Lab](https://blog.northdata.com/tag/crime-lab) - [Deep Into Data](https://blog.northdata.com/tag/deep-into-data) [![North Data](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/NDBlog/images/northdata-logo-mobile.png?width=600&name=northdata-logo-mobile.png "North Data")](https://www.northdata.com/) [![North Data Blog](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/NDBlog/images/blog-logo-mobile.png?width=180&name=blog-logo-mobile.png "North Data Blog")](https://blog.northdata.com/) Open navigation menu Close navigation menu This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ## Categories - [Decoding Registers](https://blog.northdata.com/tag/decoding-registers) - [Behind The Code](https://blog.northdata.com/tag/behind-the-code) - [Crime Lab](https://blog.northdata.com/tag/crime-lab) - [Deep Into Data](https://blog.northdata.com/tag/deep-into-data) Recent Articles [![International Connectivity Map](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/International%20Connectivity%20Map.png?width=1273&height=757&name=International%20Connectivity%20Map.png)](https://blog.northdata.com/what-700.000-international-connections-between-companies-mean?hsLang=en) ## [What 700,000+ business ties mean](https://blog.northdata.com/what-700.000-international-connections-between-companies-mean?hsLang=en) [by **Felipe Magalhães de Magalhães**](https://blog.northdata.com/what-700.000-international-connections-between-companies-mean?hsLang=en) [Registers have hard borders, corporate structures do not. An interactive map shows how companies link across countries and where ties run thickest.](https://blog.northdata.com/what-700.000-international-connections-between-companies-mean?hsLang=en) [![Cross-section of a log featuring an engraved map of Europe against a dark workshop background, illustrating European timber imports.](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Eco%20Crimes%20Final.png?width=2816&height=1536&name=Eco%20Crimes%20Final.png)](https://blog.northdata.com/eco-crimes-russian-conflict-timber-sanctions-kazakhstan?hsLang=en) ## [Russian Timber, Kazakh Papers](https://blog.northdata.com/eco-crimes-russian-conflict-timber-sanctions-kazakhstan?hsLang=en) [by **Christina Brause**](https://blog.northdata.com/eco-crimes-russian-conflict-timber-sanctions-kazakhstan?hsLang=en) [A timber-scarce country suddenly exports thousands of tons of plywood to Europe. Eco Crimes part three reveals how Russian conflict timber bypasses EU sanctions.](https://blog.northdata.com/eco-crimes-russian-conflict-timber-sanctions-kazakhstan?hsLang=en) [![Illustration of a pink cat dressed as an archaeologist with a hat and vest, examining an ancient cuneiform clay tablet inside a broken clay envelope through a magnifying glass.](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/4%2c000%20Years%20of%20Corporate%20Intelligence%20v2.png?width=2816&height=1536&name=4%2c000%20Years%20of%20Corporate%20Intelligence%20v2.png)](https://blog.northdata.com/registries-and-limited-risk-4000-years?hsLang=en) ## [4,000 years of registries and limited risk](https://blog.northdata.com/registries-and-limited-risk-4000-years?hsLang=en) [by **Frank Felix Debatin**](https://blog.northdata.com/registries-and-limited-risk-4000-years?hsLang=en) [Think company registries and LPs are modern? Merchants in Bronze Age Anatolia were already locking in ownership and liability on clay 4,000 years ago.](https://blog.northdata.com/registries-and-limited-risk-4000-years?hsLang=en) [![The company network of Columbus One Properties Management, now Chesa Properties Management](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Venezuela%20Article%20v2.png?width=1584&height=1080&name=Venezuela%20Article%20v2.png)](https://blog.northdata.com/venezuela-pdvsa-spain?hsLang=en) ## [Venezuela’s millions and a deletion attempt](https://blog.northdata.com/venezuela-pdvsa-spain?hsLang=en) [by **Christina Brause**](https://blog.northdata.com/venezuela-pdvsa-spain?hsLang=en) [Venezuela's state coffers, real estate in Spain, and digital footprints: How a businessman attempted to have his information deleted from North Data.](https://blog.northdata.com/venezuela-pdvsa-spain?hsLang=en) [![Interpol detected illegal waste shipments on one in five of the routes investigated worldwide](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Eco%20Crimes%202%20Animation%20v3%20Gif.gif?width=800&height=450&name=Eco%20Crimes%202%20Animation%20v3%20Gif.gif)](https://blog.northdata.com/how-plastic-launderers-moved-spains-waste-to-malaysia?hsLang=en) ## [The hidden flow of Spanish plastic to Malaysia](https://blog.northdata.com/how-plastic-launderers-moved-spains-waste-to-malaysia?hsLang=en) [by **Christina Brause**](https://blog.northdata.com/how-plastic-launderers-moved-spains-waste-to-malaysia?hsLang=en) [Under the guise of a legal trade, 24 containers of waste reached Malaysia. In part two of our Eco Crimes series, we reveal how China’s plastic ban is driving a surge in crime.](https://blog.northdata.com/how-plastic-launderers-moved-spains-waste-to-malaysia?hsLang=en) [![North Data Browser-Add-on](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BosArticleanimation-ezgif.com-crop.gif?width=800&height=531&name=BosArticleanimation-ezgif.com-crop.gif)](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-browser-add-on?hsLang=en) ## [Browser plugin to simplify North Data research](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-browser-add-on?hsLang=en) [by **Bo Willem Fricke**](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-browser-add-on?hsLang=en) [No more "copy and paste". A new browser add-on streamlines your search for financial data by linking company websites directly to North Data.](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-browser-add-on?hsLang=en) [![Access to company registers restricted in Malta and the Czech Republic](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/money_laundry.png?width=1297&height=864&name=money_laundry.png)](https://blog.northdata.com/money-laundering-lobby-scores-wins-in-malta-and-the-czech-republic?hsLang=en) ## [Laundering lobby wins in Malta and Czech Republic](https://blog.northdata.com/money-laundering-lobby-scores-wins-in-malta-and-the-czech-republic?hsLang=en) [by **Frank Felix Debatin**](https://blog.northdata.com/money-laundering-lobby-scores-wins-in-malta-and-the-czech-republic?hsLang=en) [Following the ECJ ruling, company registers vanish from public access – oligarchs and the shadow economy have reason to celebrate in two more countries.](https://blog.northdata.com/money-laundering-lobby-scores-wins-in-malta-and-the-czech-republic?hsLang=en) [![German foundation register launch delayed: Grand Coalition bows to the foundation lobby](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Franks%20Article%20Image.png?width=1154&height=844&name=Franks%20Article%20Image.png)](https://blog.northdata.com/german-foundation-register-launch-delayed?hsLang=en) ## [German government bows to the foundation lobby](https://blog.northdata.com/german-foundation-register-launch-delayed?hsLang=en) [by **Frank Felix Debatin**](https://blog.northdata.com/german-foundation-register-launch-delayed?hsLang=en) [The Grand Coalition postpones the new foundation registry until 2028. Officially due to “technical issues” – but more likely out of fear of public scrutiny.](https://blog.northdata.com/german-foundation-register-launch-delayed?hsLang=en) [![Eco Crimes File 1: How to Hide a Mercury Business](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Environmental%20Crimes%20no%20title%20gif.gif?width=800&height=475&name=Environmental%20Crimes%20no%20title%20gif.gif)](https://blog.northdata.com/eco-crimes-file-1-how-to-hide-a-mercury-business?hsLang=en) ## [How to hide a mercury business](https://blog.northdata.com/eco-crimes-file-1-how-to-hide-a-mercury-business?hsLang=en) [by **Christina Brause**](https://blog.northdata.com/eco-crimes-file-1-how-to-hide-a-mercury-business?hsLang=en) [Environmental crimes generate $281 billion a year. This series begins with how a German firm hid mercury smuggling using opaque corporate structures.](https://blog.northdata.com/eco-crimes-file-1-how-to-hide-a-mercury-business?hsLang=en) [![White paper UK Company Insights](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Uk%20White%20Paper%20V2.png?width=1280&height=720&name=Uk%20White%20Paper%20V2.png)](https://blog.northdata.com/the-uks-company-registration-crisis-a-system-built-for-abuse?hsLang=en) ## [UK business registration – a system built for abuse](https://blog.northdata.com/the-uks-company-registration-crisis-a-system-built-for-abuse?hsLang=en) [by **Christina Brause**](https://blog.northdata.com/the-uks-company-registration-crisis-a-system-built-for-abuse?hsLang=en) [UK’s business landscape is fast-moving with minimal checks, making fraud more likely. North Data’s white paper shows what to watch for in company data.](https://blog.northdata.com/the-uks-company-registration-crisis-a-system-built-for-abuse?hsLang=en) [![SARL](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SARL%20Corner%20Stone%20Minimalistic%20v3.png?width=1494&height=842&name=SARL%20Corner%20Stone%20Minimalistic%20v3.png)](https://blog.northdata.com/sarl-the-quiet-cornerstone-of-the-french-economy?hsLang=en) ## [SARL – the foundation of French small businesses](https://blog.northdata.com/sarl-the-quiet-cornerstone-of-the-french-economy?hsLang=en) [by **Benette Kröger**](https://blog.northdata.com/sarl-the-quiet-cornerstone-of-the-french-economy?hsLang=en) [In 2024, more than two million SARLs anchored France’s economy – quietly underpinning small businesses, family firms, and traditional sectors nationwide.](https://blog.northdata.com/sarl-the-quiet-cornerstone-of-the-french-economy?hsLang=en) [![Interview - Christina Brause](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Introducing%20Christina%20Brause.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=Introducing%20Christina%20Brause.png)](https://blog.northdata.com/im-committed-to-rethinking-the-way-we-use-data-in-investigative-research?hsLang=en) ## [“Rethinking how we use data in investigations”](https://blog.northdata.com/im-committed-to-rethinking-the-way-we-use-data-in-investigative-research?hsLang=en) [by **Julia Bölke**](https://blog.northdata.com/im-committed-to-rethinking-the-way-we-use-data-in-investigative-research?hsLang=en) [Interview with Christina Brause, Investigator in Residence at North Data, who specializes in investigative journalism, data analysis, and security.](https://blog.northdata.com/im-committed-to-rethinking-the-way-we-use-data-in-investigative-research?hsLang=en) [![The European Unique Identifier explained](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EUID%20Blog%20v2.png?width=1920&height=1268&name=EUID%20Blog%20v2.png)](https://blog.northdata.com/european-unique-identifier?hsLang=en) ## [The European Unique Identifier explained](https://blog.northdata.com/european-unique-identifier?hsLang=en) [by **Julia Bölke**](https://blog.northdata.com/european-unique-identifier?hsLang=en) [Company names aren’t always enough for clear identification. Like IBAN for banks, the EUID unifies how businesses are recognized across Europe.](https://blog.northdata.com/european-unique-identifier?hsLang=en) [![Balancing data privacy with transparency needs](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Privacy%20and%20Transparency%20VF.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=Privacy%20and%20Transparency%20VF.png)](https://blog.northdata.com/the-data-dilemma?hsLang=en) ## [Balancing data privacy with transparency needs](https://blog.northdata.com/the-data-dilemma?hsLang=en) [by **Julia Bölke**](https://blog.northdata.com/the-data-dilemma?hsLang=en) [Data protection and freedom of information must coexist in modern society. Striking the right balance demands careful use of officially published information.](https://blog.northdata.com/the-data-dilemma?hsLang=en) [![Video-Tutorial: Introduction to the Premium Services](https://play.vidyard.com/JJF4KcR8jHRs2Kk3vn3Br8.jpg?small=1&play_button=1&)](https://blog.northdata.com/video-tutorial-introduction-to-the-the-premium-services-0?hsLang=en) ## [Video introduction to the Premium Services](https://blog.northdata.com/video-tutorial-introduction-to-the-the-premium-services-0?hsLang=en) [by **North Data Team**](https://blog.northdata.com/video-tutorial-introduction-to-the-the-premium-services-0?hsLang=en) [From company searches to financial downloads and setting up custom alerts – this four-minute video walks through everything premium services offers.](https://blog.northdata.com/video-tutorial-introduction-to-the-the-premium-services-0?hsLang=en) [![North Data now covers Tax Havens](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/North%20Data%20+%20Tax%20Haven.png?width=512&height=304&name=North%20Data%20+%20Tax%20Haven.png)](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-tax-havens?hsLang=en) ## [North Data now covers Tax Havens](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-tax-havens?hsLang=en) [by **Felipe Magalhães de Magalhães**](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-tax-havens?hsLang=en) [Corporate transparency reaches offshore havens. North Data now provides comprehensive company data across countries like Cyprus, Luxembourg, and Malta.](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-tax-havens?hsLang=en) [![North Data Network Chart](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/unnamed-1.jpg?width=512&height=275&name=unnamed-1.jpg)](https://blog.northdata.com/corporate-networks-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly?hsLang=en) ## [The Good, The Bad and The Ugly](https://blog.northdata.com/corporate-networks-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly?hsLang=en) [by **Frank Felix Debatin**](https://blog.northdata.com/corporate-networks-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly?hsLang=en) [Companies divide into multiple entities for legitimate business reasons or to avoid regulations. Corporate network analysis reveals the whole spectrum.](https://blog.northdata.com/corporate-networks-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly?hsLang=en) [![North Data goes French with new platform version](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Europe%20Data%20Map%20-%20France.png?width=5000&height=3000&name=Europe%20Data%20Map%20-%20France.png)](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-launches-french-version-of-its-platform-northdata.fr?hsLang=en) ## [North Data goes French with new platform version](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-launches-french-version-of-its-platform-northdata.fr?hsLang=en) [by **Benette Kröger**](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-launches-french-version-of-its-platform-northdata.fr?hsLang=en) [North Data expanded its European coverage by adding six new countries. French users can access all this data on the new northdata.fr site.](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-launches-french-version-of-its-platform-northdata.fr?hsLang=en) [![René Benko](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ren%C3%A9_Image_v2.jpg?width=1860&height=1395&name=Ren%C3%A9_Image_v2.jpg)](https://blog.northdata.com/we-are-removing-the-privacy-restrictions-from-ren%C3%A9-benkos-profile?hsLang=en) ## [René Benko's profile now public on North Data](https://blog.northdata.com/we-are-removing-the-privacy-restrictions-from-ren%C3%A9-benkos-profile?hsLang=en) [by **Frank Felix Debatin**](https://blog.northdata.com/we-are-removing-the-privacy-restrictions-from-ren%C3%A9-benkos-profile?hsLang=en) [René Benko officially stepped down from all positions in 2013, but still pulls the strings. Now we are lifting the privacy restrictions from his profile.](https://blog.northdata.com/we-are-removing-the-privacy-restrictions-from-ren%C3%A9-benkos-profile?hsLang=en) [![Digital Gravity](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Shoulders%20and%20Shadows%20of%20Giants%20-%20Vanessa%20Hellwig.png?width=1413&height=1024&name=Shoulders%20and%20Shadows%20of%20Giants%20-%20Vanessa%20Hellwig.png)](https://blog.northdata.com/shoulders-and-shadows-of-giants?hsLang=en) ## [The shoulders and shadows of tech giants](https://blog.northdata.com/shoulders-and-shadows-of-giants?hsLang=en) [by **Vanessa Hellwig**](https://blog.northdata.com/shoulders-and-shadows-of-giants?hsLang=en) [German small towns create thriving tech scenes in the orbit of major cities. Research on 140,000 companies reveals the pattern.](https://blog.northdata.com/shoulders-and-shadows-of-giants?hsLang=en) [![Digital Gravity](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TU%20Scientific%20Article%20-%20Digital%20Gravity.jpg?width=1500&height=1008&name=TU%20Scientific%20Article%20-%20Digital%20Gravity.jpg)](https://blog.northdata.com/digital-gravity?hsLang=en) ## [The digital gravity effect on German startups](https://blog.northdata.com/digital-gravity?hsLang=en) [by **Vanessa Hellwig**](https://blog.northdata.com/digital-gravity?hsLang=en) [German tech companies stick close to home throughout their lifecycle. Research on 107,000 companies shows proximity’s decisive role.](https://blog.northdata.com/digital-gravity?hsLang=en) [![When companies hit the reset button](https://blog.northdata.com/hubfs/Corporate%20Restructuring%20-%20Article%20Featured%20image%202.1%20aspect%20ratio-1.png)](https://blog.northdata.com/what-is-corporate-restructuring?hsLang=en) ## [When companies hit the reset button](https://blog.northdata.com/what-is-corporate-restructuring?hsLang=en) [by **Pegah Dehghani**](https://blog.northdata.com/what-is-corporate-restructuring?hsLang=en) [Companies reinvent themselves to survive crises or capitalize on new growth opportunities. These are the proven strategies they deploy.](https://blog.northdata.com/what-is-corporate-restructuring?hsLang=en) [![Google Sheets Brighter](https://blog.northdata.com/hubfs/Google%20Sheets%20Brighter-featured.jpg)](https://blog.northdata.com/company-data-on-your-google-sheets-spreadsheet?hsLang=en) ## [Company data on your Google Sheets spreadsheet](https://blog.northdata.com/company-data-on-your-google-sheets-spreadsheet?hsLang=en) [by **Zaur Ostaev**](https://blog.northdata.com/company-data-on-your-google-sheets-spreadsheet?hsLang=en) [Enriching Google Sheets with company data? Here is a step-by-step method to automatically connect North Data to your spreadsheets using our API.](https://blog.northdata.com/company-data-on-your-google-sheets-spreadsheet?hsLang=en) [![Transparency Post Art](https://blog.northdata.com/hubfs/Transparency%20Post%20Art-featured.png)](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-with-more-data-0?hsLang=en) ## [No more closed doors in the digital age](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-with-more-data-0?hsLang=en) [by **North Data Team**](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-with-more-data-0?hsLang=en) [Backroom deals, death by a thousand cuts, and complete silence – those days are over. Companies today can no longer operate in total secrecy.](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-with-more-data-0?hsLang=en) [![Data Globe](https://blog.northdata.com/hubfs/Data%20Globe-featured.png)](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-with-more-data?hsLang=en) ## [North Data extends coverage across Europe](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-with-more-data?hsLang=en) [by **North Data Team**](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-with-more-data?hsLang=en) [North Data expands its coverage with Poland addition. The company database now includes information from five countries across Europe.](https://blog.northdata.com/north-data-with-more-data?hsLang=en) [![Video-Tutorial: Introduction to the Premium Services](https://play.vidyard.com/qkvjrQaJUQw9hD9feHKay7.jpg)](https://blog.northdata.com/video-tutorial-introduction-to-the-the-premium-services?hsLang=en) ## [Introduction to the The Premium Services](https://blog.northdata.com/video-tutorial-introduction-to-the-the-premium-services?hsLang=en) [by **North Data Team**](https://blog.northdata.com/video-tutorial-introduction-to-the-the-premium-services?hsLang=en) [From company searches to financial downloads and setting up custom alerts – this four-minute video walks through everything premium services offers.](https://blog.northdata.com/video-tutorial-introduction-to-the-the-premium-services?hsLang=en) Stay up to Data with North Data Subscribe to our newsletter and stay up to date [Join our Newsletter](https://welcome.northdata.com/en/newsletter?hsLang=en) [Blog Home](https://blog.northdata.com/) [Contact](https://www.northdata.com/_contact) [About Us](https://www.northdata.com/_about) [Jobs](https://www.northdata.com/_career) [Investigative Journalism](https://www.northdata.com/_journalism) [Countries and Sources Coverage](https://www.northdata.com/_coverage) [Help Center](https://help.northdata.com/en/center?hsLang=en) [![Visit North Data's website](https://blog.northdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/NDBlog/images/northdata-logo.png?width=150&name=northdata-logo.png "Visit North Data's website")](https://www.northdata.com/) [General Terms & Conditions](https://www.northdata.com/_agb) [Usage Terms](https://www.northdata.com/_terms) [Privacy](https://www.northdata.com/_privacy)