Inception-to-Date Operational Report

Corporate Intelligence Assessment

GhostTrace LLC, incorporated as a domestic limited liability company in Georgia on June 25, 2026, has transitioned from initial legal formation into active investigative operations and strategic market positioning. Since its inception, the firm has established a core mission of providing ethical, evidence-led Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) and digital safety services. This report period (June 25, 2026 - August 18, 2026) was characterized by the launch of major investigative content, navigation of a legal challenge regarding that reporting, and the introduction of internal staff certification standards.

Executive Summary

GhostTrace LLC, incorporated on June 25, 2026, has transitioned from initial legal formation into active investigative operations and market positioning. The firm is led by Founder and CEO Daniel Upperman, who established its core mission of providing ethical, evidence-led Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) and digital safety services, and who has since expanded that mission to make live security awareness training for small businesses the firm's primary service line. The period was marked by the launch of major investigative content, a legal challenge regarding that content, and the initiation of internal certification programs.

Corporate Profile and Leadership

The firm maintains active compliance as a Georgia LLC (Control Number: 26142915) utilizing a lean, remote-first operational model. GhostTrace is currently operated solely by its Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Upperman, who oversees strategic direction, case design, and ethical compliance. The firm does not currently have a staffed Chief of Ethics or other officer position; sole-operator governance is designed to keep investigative workflows strictly passive, lawful, and ethical, with Daniel Upperman personally accountable for that standard.

Key Investigative Milestones

VaultCord Investigation

The primary operational focus following incorporation was a forensic investigation into VaultCord, a Discord "member restore" service.

• July 14, 2026: Publication of the full investigative report documenting OAuth token cycles and marketplace dynamics.
• Mid-to-late July 2026: The publication and its companion content drew takedown attempts aimed at suppressing the report.
• GhostTrace contested those attempts through formal counter-notification; the findings remained published.

Operational Programs and Human Capital

Staff Certification & Onboarding

Internal staff standards were solidified on July 3, 2026, with the issuance of the first Staff Certifications. Daniel Upperman completed the 200-question assessment with a score of 100%, demonstrating competency in professional investigative standards.

Pro Bono Security Research Program

• Privacy Policy Integrity: a persistent operational gap involving the technical accessibility of the primary privacy policy link was identified and prioritized for remediation.
• Litigation & Copyright: the firm monitored and pursued formal counter-notification regarding the VaultCord-related content dispute described above.
• Out of Office Status: the firm has, at times, provided automated responses to inquiries while staff were temporarily unavailable.

Administrative & Operational Infrastructure

• Insurance: the firm carries Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions) insurance coverage through Hiscox.
• Communications: an official dedicated business phone line, (706) 204-9294, centralizes client and operational communications.
• General Administration: continued diligence in maintaining corporate compliance filings and internal documentation systems.

Future Outlook

• Resolving the remaining aspects of the VaultCord-related content dispute.
• Scaling recruitment, including toward an eventual Intelligence Director role, to handle increasing case and training workflows.
• Finalizing remediation of the technical privacy policy link.