Our job is to hold people and institutions accountable. And it requires evidence. Documents are a crucial part of that. We are always on the lookout for them — especially now.
Have you seen something that troubles you or that you think should be a story? Do you have a tip about something we should be investigating? Do you have documents or other materials that we should see? We want to hear from you.
Below are a few ways to contact us and send us documents and other materials as safely, securely and anonymously as possible.
- Signal: +1-347-244-2134
- WhatsApp: +1-347-244-2134
- Email: [email protected]
- SecureDrop: http://lvtu6mh6dd6ynqcxtd2mseqfkm7g2iuxvjobbyzpgx2jt427zvd7n3ad.onion/ (via Tor)
- Postal Mail: 155 Ave of the Americas, Floor 13, New York, NY 10013-1507
- Our Staff List: https://www.propublica.org/staff/#news-staff
Signal
Signal is a free messaging app for iPhone and Android that provides end-to-end encryption for messages and calls. Signal does not collect any metadata regarding who you are messaging: the service only retains your phone number and the last time you accessed the app.
Our Signal number is: +1-347-244-2134
If you’re concerned about someone knowing you are contacting ProPublica, we suggest that you enter in our Signal number (or any reporter’s Signal number) directly in the app and not add it to your address book.
Also: Messaging us on Signal does reveal your phone number to ProPublica. In some situations, you may consider using a separate phone number (such as a Google Voice number) for Signal communications.
Please keep your apps and your phone’s operating system up to date; developers and manufacturers regularly fix vulnerabilities that may affect the security of your phone and your communications with us.
WhatsApp is a popular messaging app owned by Facebook, which also provides end-to-end encrypted communications. Although the message contents are encrypted, the WhatsApp service may retain some metadata about who you are communicating with and when.
Our WhatsApp number is +1-347-244-2134
Messaging us on WhatsApp may be preferable if you already use WhatsApp and don’t want to install another app on your phone. As with Signal, your phone number will be revealed to ProPublica, so you may want to consider other options (or use a separate phone number, such as a Google Voice number) if you are concerned about that.
Please keep your apps and your phone’s operating system up to date; developers and manufacturers regularly fix vulnerabilities that may affect the security of your phone and your communications with us.
Our general tips address is [email protected].
To contact specific reporters, see our staff list. Many of our reporters have their own Signal numbers listed, and some reporters also use PGP (aka “GPG”) for email encryption as noted on their profiles.
Although plain email is convenient, if your information is sensitive, we recommend contacting us using the other options first.
If you decide to use PGP, we also note that PGP, like a mailing envelope, only encrypts your message content and not the to, from or subject line of your emails. You may also consider registering a new, anonymous email address in combination with PGP.
SecureDrop
ProPublica uses a system called SecureDrop so you can share information and files with us with a level of security and anonymity that is far greater than is possible with other electronic means. Used properly, SecureDrop allows you to correspond with us in a way that shields your identity even from us.
Our SecureDrop server is only accessible using the Tor anonymity software. Although you need to download the Tor Browser to connect to ProPublica's SecureDrop server, it can be as easy to use as a normal web browser.
Do not download and install Tor on a computer that is managed by your workplace. For the best level of privacy, we further recommend that you use Tor and visit our SecureDrop using a public Wi-Fi network, rather than your home or work internet connection.
Here's how to contact us using SecureDrop:
- Visit TorProject.org and follow the directions to download and install the Tor Browser.
- Launch the Tor Browser and allow it to connect. Then wait for a page that says a connection has been established.
- Copy and paste the following into the Tor Browser address bar: http://lvtu6mh6dd6ynqcxtd2mseqfkm7g2iuxvjobbyzpgx2jt427zvd7n3ad.onion/
- Follow the instructions on that website to send us files and messages. When you use the site, you will get a “code name,” which is your login for SecureDrop. You can come back and log in with this code name to submit more information and see if we have sent a response to you.
The SecureDrop link (http://lvtu6mh6dd6ynqcxtd2mseqfkm7g2iuxvjobbyzpgx2jt427zvd7n3ad.onion/) is only accessible via Tor, and we do not recommend using any other website or software to visit our SecureDrop system.
Our SecureDrop servers are under the direct physical control of ProPublica. When you use SecureDrop, we are unable to record your IP address or information about your browser, computer or operating system. All files submitted to our SecureDrop servers are encrypted as they are received; submissions are initially decrypted and viewed on a computer that has never been connected to the internet. Unless you give us your name or other identifying information, we do not know your identity if you submit tips to us through SecureDrop. We use our best effort to remove identifying information and metadata from submissions.
Despite the design of the system, use caution when submitting sensitive information. Consider who may be watching you and be aware of identifiable information contained in your documents. We want you to be safe and to understand the risks you face before you send us anything. And if you’re using Tor, you can also read ProPublica more anonymously by using our “onion site” service: http://www.propub3r6espa33w.onion/https://www.propub3r6espa33w.onion/
For extra security, you can also boot your computer from a USB key containing Tails, a secure operating system which does not leave any trace of your Tails activity on the computer you are using; Tor Browser is included in the Tails operating system.
Postal Mail
Postal mail is an excellent, easy way to reach ProPublica securely. U.S. postal mail without a return address is one of the most secure ways to communicate — authorities would need a warrant to intercept and open it in transit.
Don’t use your company or agency mailroom to send something to us. Mail your package or envelope from an unfamiliar sidewalk box instead of going to a post office. You can mail us paper materials or digital files on, for example, a thumb drive. Our mailing address is:
ProPublica
155 Avenue of the Americas
13th Floor
New York, NY 10013-1507
If you can identify a reporter you want to reach, it’s worth noting that inside your package or envelope. You can also simply address it to ProPublica.
