Sidelines

Got a sensitive tip?

Please don't send it to Sidelines. Sidelines doesn't collect anything, on purpose, so there's nothing here to leak, hack or hand over. If you have information a journalist needs and you need to stay anonymous, use SecureDrop: the whistleblower system Aaron Swartz began building, now maintained and independently audited by the Freedom of the Press Foundation. Many newsrooms run their own SecureDrop.

How to use it safely

1. Use a device and network that aren't your work's. Don't do this from a work laptop or work Wi-Fi.
2. Download Tor Browser from the official Tor Project site.
3. Open the official SecureDrop Directory and choose a news organization.
4. Check that the .onion address on the newsroom's own page matches the directory entry before you continue.
5. Follow the newsroom's instructions. You'll get a codename: write it down to check for replies.

The Freedom of the Press Foundation publishes guides on staying safe: freedom.press.