By
Margaret Looney
Journalists often rely on anonymous
tips to fuel their investigations, but it can be hard to find willing sources,
either in person or online. As our digital footprints grow larger and become
easier to trace, a new platform is trying to help to keep anonymous sources
safe.
SecureDrop is a submission system where
whistleblowers can submit documents and tips securely.
Programmer and transparency advocate Aaron Swartz coded the
system, with help from Wired editor Kevin Poulsen and security
expert James Dolan. Since SecureDrop was one the last projects Swartz worked on
before his death in January 2013, some are describing it as his "last gift to journalism."
News organizations can install the
system on their websites and tweak the open source software as needed. The
Freedom of the Press Foundation, which now manages the project,
will also offer cybersecurity training to journalists before they start using
the system.
The system lets reporters establish
close relationships with their sources, usually an advantageous move when
working on high-profile investigations that can take months or years.
All
sources receive a code name when they submit information, and journalists can
converse with their sources on the system without resorting to email, which is
less secure. When sources return to the site, they just enter the code to see
any clarifying questions from the journalist, and continue correspondence or
submit more documents if they wish.
In May, the New Yorker was the first
organization to use a version of the system (then called DeadDrop at the time), to
launch its StrongBox project.
Read more about how to use system here.
IJNet Editorial Assistant Margaret
Looney writes about the latest media trends, reporting tools and journalism
resources.
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