A pioneering marketplace launched this week, offering complimentary and discounted privacy and security services tailored for 23 million current and former public servants in the United States. Established by the Public Service Alliance (PSA), the initiative aims to address a significant uptick in threats against government employees nationwide.
This platform is accessible to all who serve or have served in government roles at various levels, including federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial entities. The launch comes amid rising concerns regarding the safety of public officials and their families, particularly following high-profile incidents such as the tragic killing of Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, alongside the attempted assassination of state senator John Hoffman and his spouse.
According to PSA founder and CEO Isabella Ulloa, “The surge of threats against public servants and their families over the last decade highlights a critical gap in support for those at risk. This deficiency undermines effective governance and the principles that the nation upholds.” The organization positions its marketplace as a critical resource for public servants, connecting them to services across four essential areas: privacy and security, legal and communication risk, career support, and personal well-being.
Available services range from online data removal and legal counsel to threat monitoring, career coaching, and stress management tools. Prospective users can create a free account and verify their government service to unlock exclusive discounts with vetted vendors. These vendors include data privacy firms such as Optery and Atlas, which specialize in the removal of personal information online, and Alethea, a security firm that offers monitoring for online harassment and physical threats. In addition, the PSA can refer users to its network of attorneys for low-cost legal consultations, although it does not provide direct legal advice.
During its initial soft launch last year, PSA attracted around 1,000 users through organic growth, currently reporting a 100 percent retention rate. Users incur a modest 10 percent fee, calculated based on the discounted service rates they utilize; however, waivers are available for individuals facing financial constraints. Notably, threat monitoring services, typically priced between $5,000 and $30,000 annually, can be accessed by users for under $1,000 a year.
PSA maintains a nonpartisan stance, with an advisory board comprising members from both political parties and law enforcement, including former Republican congresswoman Barbara Comstock and retired FBI assistant director David Sundberg. Ulloa’s background includes previous work with the Department of Homeland Security, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to transcending political divides in its mission.
Plans are underway to extend access to these discounts for additional at-risk groups, including nonprofit workers, later this year. Research from the Brennan Center for Justice underscores the pressing need for such measures, revealing that nearly 50 percent of state legislators and about 20 percent of local officials have reported threats, with a disproportionately high impact on women and officials of color.
