Tipline
We know that staff across social media companies are telling their managers that the platforms have problems and that solutions exist.
But all too often, leadership at these companies deny the problems, deflect criticism, and delay taking the steps that could help fix issues of import and potential widespread negative impact to users and society.
The consequences can be deadly. From people dying because of Covid misinformation to the perpetuation of antisemitism, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and radicalization through online hate.
There is simply not enough oversight or accountability for Big Tech companies.
At CCDH, we believe the stakes are too high for the truth to be kept buried. If you are a professional at any social media platform, we are here to listen to your story and help hold your employer accountable for their failure to act before more harm is done.
If you’ve experienced wrongdoings, witnessed bad behavior, or recognize abuses of power and have hard evidence, then together we can, and will, hold Big Tech companies to account.
Protecting Your Identity
People who are willing to do the right thing in the face of wrongdoing are essential in this fight, but face risks when blowing the whistle.
It is our promise to you that we will do everything in our power to protect the identity and anonymity of our sources. While CCDH intends to publish its research into the activities of social media companies, CCDH will only publish information arising out of content provided by our sources in accordance with our commitment to preserve their anonymity.
How to contact CCDH securely by encrypted email or messaging service
Protecting you is our highest priority. This is why we ask you to please read the following advice on how to operate secure encrypted communication tools before contacting us.
ProtonMail
CCDH uses ProtonMail – a secure email provider – which offers end-to-end encryption and anonymity for emails sent from one ProtonMail account to another ProtonMail account. The email service is easy to use and set up. It is important not to use any pre-existing email accounts when contacting CCDH. Therefore, we advise you to set up a free ProtonMail account to contact us.
Please make sure you have a strong password for your account and activate two-factor authentication (2FA). We recommend you follow the UK’s NCSC advice on creating a strong password. Further details on protecting your devices, data and 2FA can be found on this infographic.
The ProtonMail security checklist for new account owners can be seen here. For further support on using secure email, please visit ProtonMail’s support page – https://protonmail.com/support/knowledge-base/
Additional Security FAQ:
ProtonMail does not require any personal information to create an account and use its services. It also does not store any IP address log information.
However, encrypted emails alone do not guarantee absolute security. Even if the content is encrypted, system vulnerabilities on the device you use or malicious software such as spyware can record keystrokes and capture screen grabs.
We therefore advise keeping your device security up to date with the latest security patches and using a VPN service or the anonymous TOR browser to add additional layers of security when contacting us. Not only will this help to hide your identity by obscuring your IP address, it will also ensure that communication from the device you are using is as secure as can be.
This is a list of 3 free VPN providers we recommend:
1. ProtonVPN
You can download the Tor browser from here & learn more about it here.
Signal
CCDH uses the end-to-end encrypted messaging service Signal. The service can be easily downloaded on a laptop computer and mobile device. The application provides robust, secure and anonymous communications using multiple encryption algorithms. It is also possible to purge messages by setting them to disappear after a designated time period if needed. Please make sure you have a secure password for your phone as well as a separate, unique code for the Signal app as anyone with physical access to your device can still read your messages. You can download Signal for mobile & desktop here.
This is a detailed guide by WIRED on how to use the Signal platform for encrypted messaging in the most secure way.
Contact CCDH
It is vital that you read the advice above before you contact us via one of these methods.
Encrypted email: [email protected]
Encrypted Messaging Service Signal: +44 (0)7888052706
This number is used for Signal to Signal communications only and cannot be reached via calls or messages. Signal calls will not be answered without prior contact & agreement
Please note: CCDH invites professionals at social media companies to submit information for the purpose of CCDH’s investigations and advocacy regarding social media companies’ unlawful practices, serious wrongdoing and malpractice or dishonest public statements regarding their policies and practices in moderating hate speech and misinformation on their platforms.
Information will be retained in accordance with CCDH’s obligations under the UK General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018.