FtM is the software framework and data model specification underpinning OpenSanctions, and the broader Aleph ecosystem.
The release has three main objectives: productising the dataset metadata and statement data format pioneered by OpenSanctions in the last four years, removing several deprecated properties and entity schemata, and creating a more coherent stack of Python libraries for data cleaning and alignment. The technical release notes give more detail. This is also the first major release to include Java bindings that make it easy to consume and interpret entity data in JVM-based applications.
Follow the money has been the informal motto of white collar investigators for generations. Three minutes from HBO's show The Wire explain the process perfectly.
The revamped documentation for FollowTheMoney includes detailed guidance on how to produce and consume entities and graph relationships.
FtM 4.0 is also a milestone on the path towards the next major version of OpenAleph, an open source data analysis platform used by investigators in media and non-profits. Our friends at the Data and Research Center are starting significant work to bring statement-based provenance and simplified import of FtM datasets to the platform in the coming months.
Going forward, we are excited that FtM will continue to evolve as a community of practice for people and organisations working on investigative knowledge graphs, and a place for building shared infrastructure to fight financial crime.
Thanks to Till Prochaska, Simon Wörpel, Klil Eden, and the OpenSanctions engineering team for their contributions to this release.
- Read the release notes.
- Visit the home page.
- Slide deck about FollowTheMoney from ConnectedData London 2024
- Python:
pip install followthemoney - TypeScript:
npm install @opensanctions/followthemoney - Java:
tech.followthemoney:followthemoney - Report issues and share your ideas on the GitHub repository
