New Nonprofit Aims to Empower Whistleblowers in Tech Sector
Amber Scorah, an advocate for systemic change, has recognized the significant impact that personal narratives can have on society, particularly in challenging powerful institutions. Following the tragic death of her infant son in 2015—an event that propelled her into activism, Scorah penned an op-ed addressing the shortcomings of parental leave policies in the U.S., effectively aiding in the campaign for enhanced family leave in New York City. In 2019, her memoir detailing her departure from the Jehovah’s Witnesses shed light on the organization’s internal issues, costing her familial and social connections but resonating with others questioning similar authoritarian doctrines.
While at a media outlet focused on connecting whistleblowers with journalists, Scorah noted alarming strategies employed by organizations to silence dissent. "There appears to be a consistent playbook among powerful entities," she explained. "When you reveal uncomfortable truths, they often attempt to discredit you, leading to potential ostracism from your community."
In response to these challenges, Scorah co-founded Psst in September 2024, a nonprofit organization designed to provide safe channels for individuals in tech and government to disclose public interest information with enhanced confidentiality. The initiative offers a digital safe platform, accessible via a secured, end-to-end encrypted text box where users can voice their concerns anonymously. The design of the platform deliberately restricts document uploads as a means of further protecting whistleblowers from identification.
One particularly innovative feature of Psst is its “information escrow” mechanism. This allows users to maintain their anonymity until comparable concerns arise from others regarding the same organization, thereby fostering a collective stance on issues that are often met with resistance.
As Psst was gearing up for its launch, team members assisted Microsoft employees dissatisfied with the company’s AI marketing strategies directed at fossil fuel companies. Although only one employee chose to go public, additional colleagues anonymously shared vital supporting documents, facilitating a formal complaint to the Securities and Exchange Commission with legal support from Psst. This case was then highlighted in a report published by The Atlantic.
The approach taken by Psst, which combines information from multiple sources, serves to mitigate the isolating challenges typically faced by whistleblowers. By presenting a united front, the organization aims to defend against the narrative that depicts whistleblowers merely as disgruntled employees. This method also enhances the safeguarding of identities, complicating efforts to attribute leaks while encouraging broader information dissemination among those who may not possess complete accounts.
This initiative, therefore, stands at a crucial intersection—empowering individuals to voice concerns about corporate malpractices while employing strategic anonymity measures to ensure their safety. As the whistleblowing landscape continues to evolve, Psst could become a significant ally in the fight against institutional silencing, offering necessary resources and support to those ready to take a stand.
Businesses must remain vigilant, as the ongoing challenges of data security and ethical conduct in corporate practices face increasing scrutiny. By understanding the tactics employed by organizations to suppress whistleblowing, stakeholders can better prepare themselves against potential risks associated with information leaks and reputational damage—aligning with the adversary tactics identified in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, including initial access and persistence. Ultimately, the rise of innovative platforms like Psst signifies a shift towards greater accountability in corporate governance, challenging the status quo in the process.
