Many of the most impactful stories in journalism originate from tips provided by individuals with firsthand knowledge or access to revealing documents. A well-sourced tip can expose corporate misconduct, government overreach, or technological failures that affect millions. For news organizations committed to accountability reporting, maintaining a secure and trustworthy channel for these submissions is paramount. Below, we outline the preferred methods for sharing information with our editorial team, along with crucial security precautions to protect your identity.
Why Your Tip Matters
Tips have historically driven landmark investigations. From the Pentagon Papers to the Panama Papers, whistleblowers and ordinary citizens have provided the raw material that journalists transform into stories serving the public interest. Every tip is evaluated with care, and even if a lead does not immediately yield a story, it may connect with other information to reveal a larger pattern. The evidence you provide—whether it is a screenshot, an internal memo, a recording, or a personal account—must be verifiable and concrete. Hunches and speculation are less useful than documented proof or direct experience.
Email: The Most Accessible Channel
Our primary and most straightforward method for receiving tips is email. We maintain a dedicated inbox monitored by the editorial staff. To submit tip securely, send your message to our general tips address. However, if you fear reprisals from an employer, government, or other entity, do not use your work email account, your employer’s Wi-Fi network, or any device managed by your employer. These systems often log all activity and could expose your communication. Instead, consider creating a free, anonymous email account through a provider that does not track IP addresses, or use a private device connected to a public Wi-Fi network (such as a library or café).
For an added layer of security, you can encrypt the body of your email using tools like Pretty Good Privacy (PGP). Although setting up PGP requires some technical effort, it ensures that even if the email is intercepted, the contents remain unreadable. Our staff can provide a public PGP key upon request. Remember that email metadata—sender, recipient, subject line, and timestamp—is often visible to internet service providers and surveillance agencies. Encrypting the content does not hide the fact that you contacted us. For that reason, we also offer alternatives that provide stronger anonymity guarantees.
Signal: Strong Encryption and Secrecy
Signal is a free, open-source messaging application that provides end-to-end encryption for text messages, voice calls, and file transfers. Unlike standard SMS or many messaging apps, Signal encrypts communications so that only the sender and recipient can read them. Signal does store your phone number and the last time you accessed the app, but it does not store who you communicate with—meaning the service cannot be compelled to hand over a list of your contacts. To use Signal to send us a tip, download the app from the official website or your device’s app store. Use a personal phone, not a work-issued device. Depending on the version of Signal you are using, you may need to add the recipient’s phone number as a contact before starting a conversation. Once the conversation is underway, you can delete that contact from your address book to reduce digital traces.
Our staff members have individual Signal numbers listed on their author profiles. If you know which journalist covers your area of interest, you can reach out directly. For general tips, you can contact our main editorial account. Signal also allows messages to be set to disappear after a certain amount of time—a useful feature if you want to limit how long a conversation remains stored on either end. However, be aware that recipients may take screenshots or forward messages, so always consider the sensitivity of what you share.
Additional Security Measures
The Freedom of the Press Foundation has published extensive guidelines for locking down security on Signal. These include verifying safety numbers, disabling link previews (which can expose metadata), and enabling screen security to prevent other apps from capturing the screen. We strongly recommend reviewing these best practices before sending sensitive information. For the highest level of anonymity, you might also consider using the Tor Browser to access our website or to send emails via a service that supports .onion addresses. Combining Tor with an encrypted messaging app can make it extremely difficult for anyone to trace the communication to you.
If you are in a high‑risk situation—for instance, if you are a government employee in a repressive state or a corporate employee subject to strict nondisclosure agreements—it may be wise to consult an attorney before contacting journalists. Some organizations offer legal support for whistleblowers. Additionally, you should never discuss your intention to leak information with colleagues or on social media. One slip could alert security teams and compromise the entire operation.
Our Commitment to Source Protection
We take source protection extremely seriously. In accordance with best practices recommended by the Freedom of the Press Foundation, this very page you are reading is served over HTTPS without any third‑party analytics, advertising trackers, or social media widgets. That means no outside company can see that you visited this page, and we do not collect data on your visit. Outside of these channels, we also operate a SecureDrop submission system for those who need maximum anonymity. SecureDrop uses Tor to create a hidden service where sources can send files and messages without revealing their IP address or identity. While setting up SecureDrop requires a few more steps, it is the gold standard for protecting whistleblowers.
When we receive a tip, we assess its credibility and newsworthiness. Our editors and reporters work to verify the information before publishing. We understand that coming forward takes courage, and we strive to treat every source with respect and discretion. If you have evidence of wrongdoing, a story that has been overlooked, or insight into how a major technology or policy decision was made, we want to hear from you.
What Kind of Tips Are Most Valuable?
Our reporting focuses on the intersection of technology, policy, and human impact. We are particularly interested in tips about products and services that shape how people live and work—especially when those products fail, deceive, or harm. We also investigate government agencies responsible for regulating technology and the environment. Evidence of privacy violations, security flaws, antitrust behavior, or deceptive marketing is always welcome. Similarly, internal documents revealing strategic decisions, safety test results, or communications with regulators can be powerful.
Firsthand experience is extremely compelling. If you worked on a project that cut corners, witnessed a data breach being covered up, or have documentation of a company misleading the public, your tip could be the foundation of an important story. Please include as much context as possible: dates, names (even if redacted), and a clear explanation of why you believe the information is in the public interest. Anonymous tips are treated seriously, but you are more likely to receive a follow‑up if you provide a way for us to contact you securely (even if it is through an encrypted channel like Signal).
Precautions for High‑Risk Sources
If you are at risk of reprisals, take extra precautions before reaching out. Do not use any device or network that can be traced to your employer or to your personal identity when used in conjunction with sensitive communications. Consider traveling to a different location—such as a public library or a coffee shop—to send your message. Use a burner phone or a laptop that is not linked to your home or work. Turn off location services and Bluetooth. Signal can be set to ‘disappearing messages’ to automatically remove chat logs from your device. After you have sent your tip, it may be wise to clear your phone’s clipboard and app history.
You can also reach us through postal mail addressed to our newsroom, although that method is slower and less secure because physical mail can be intercepted. If you choose postal mail, use a return address that is not your own, and do not include any identifying information in the envelope. For the most sensitive documents, consider mailing them from a different city to make tracking more difficult.
Our Promise to You
Every tip we receive is read. While we cannot respond to every submission due to volume, we do our best to acknowledge receipt if you provide a secure means of contact. We will never reveal your identity without your explicit consent, and we will take legal risks to protect confidential sources when necessary. Our newsroom has a long tradition of fighting subpoenas and court orders to keep sources’ names secret. If you have something important to share, we are ready to listen—and we have built these channels to make it as safe as possible for you to speak.
Source:The Verge News