Short answer: Tor lets journalists and whistleblowers communicate anonymously. SecureDrop is the standard tool for documented submissions. OPSEC: Tails OS, no traces, strip metadata.
Press freedom often depends on sources being able to contact journalists safely. Tor and SecureDrop form the technical foundation for many investigative projects worldwide.
SecureDrop
SecureDrop is an open-source platform from the Freedom of the Press Foundation. Each news organization runs its own instance as an .onion service. Sources receive a codename — the only authentication.
Verified instances: Whistleblowing directory.
OPSEC for sources
- Tails OS — live USB, no traces on the host
- Not from routine locations — not from home or work
- Strip metadata — EXIF, author, printer marks
- Tell no one — the most common exposure source
- Remember the codename — do not store it digitally
OPSEC for journalists
Journalists use air-gapped machines for SecureDrop intake. Documents are opened on isolated systems — never on the everyday computer.