Anonymous Whistleblowing
Whistleblowing is leaking information about maladministration or corrupt conduct to a journalist or to an anonymous drop-box (where you drop the information off anonymously in the hope it reaches an appropriate journalist).
Large firms and Government Departments have the money and resources to trace whistleblowing on the internet that ordinary people and small businesses do not have. If your whistleblowing is significant or involves the government then you need to take extra precautions, like excellent encryption.
Use this information for whistleblowing. Not criminal activity.
The Government considers it criminal activity if you blow the whistle on the Government. The opposition considers whistleblowing your patriotic duty.
Freedom of the Press Foundation page about Encryption
If you have left your workplace already or have retired or are in a situation where your workplace managers or the government cannot take reprisals against you, then by all means speak out openly. Take care to avoid defamation. Only tell the truth and only state facts that you can directly prove with documents that are already in your possesion.
If you are still at work or the government can still take reprisals against you then take care to remain anonymous.
Get the evidence you will need to prove you are telling the truth first, while you can. Only then 'leak' the information to a journalist or drop it off in an anonymous 'drop box. Here are some tips on remaining anonymous:
Here are some things one can do to reduce the chances that you can be traced:
Do not use your work email or computer to blow the whistle. Do not use your work network or your work phone. Avoid your work photocopier. Use only your own personal home computer.
Do not use the land-line phone, your mobile or your internet-connected device to whistleblow. Read this. US but may apply elsewhere too.
Do not give out any personal information.
Do not include any information that only you or a few people could know about. It will be obvious that it came from you.
Install the TOR bundle on your home computer. It is software that makes what you do on the internet anonymous as long as you follow the instructions.
Do all your whistleblowing through TOR and the included browser
.
Use TOR only for whistleblowing. Do Not use TOR to do anything else, like reading your email, doing your banking or anything else at all. It will blow your cover if you do anything personal (like read your emails or anything linked to you personally) while using TOR.
When you have blown the whistle, close your browser and TOR. From then on you can open and use your browser in the normal way, but without TOR, to do your personal browsing or anything you want.
Use the TOR Bundle. It has both the TOR software and a browser included. Follow the instructions. Use the browsers supplied even if you usually use a different browser. This browser is set up to work with the TOR software.
You can download the TOR Bundle by clicking here. Then follow the instructions to install it on your computer and set it up.
If you are using Windows then you need Tor Browser for Windows English (en-US) (signature). The Mac OS X bundle is further down the page.
Follow the instructions.
There are all sorts of bits and pieces for the Geeks and experts. Leave all these alone. Us mortals just need the TOR Bundle with everything set up for us so it works.
Methods of making Anonymous Contact:
Encrypted email using ProtonMail.
Set up an account at GovernmentIntegrity@protonmail.com. Do not give identifying data like phone or address etc.
Encrypted text messaging using a free messaging app Signal. The Signal app can be installed on your smart phone, tablet or computer. The recipients Signal account number is required to send messages.
Learn about Encryption Here
Other good advice:
Always tell the truth.
Have in your possession documents that prove what you say.
If not, get them first. Photocopy them. Digitally scan them or digitally photograph them. Save them on an external hard-drive that you keep hidden. Keep them safe. Don't use the work or organisation's computers, emails, photocopiers or other technology (they all keep records of your footprints and metadata). Beware of CCTV cameras which capture time and place.
Julian Assange's Whistleblowier Guide
http://www.tcij.org/node/502
Freedom of the Press Foundation page about Encryption
Use this site to Blow the Whistle. Click here.
Blow the whistle to the New Yorker via the secure Strong Box. Click here.
Australian Public Servants blow the whistle here. Secure. Click here.
More Anonymous Whistleblowing
TOR and PGP
International Drop-box and local drop boxes
31 ways to skin a whistleblower
The importance of not being seen
Whistleblowing is for the birds
Resources and Help