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Whistleblower Aid

Topics
Tech
Corporate Misconduct (General)
Government
National Security
Jurisdiction
US
Co-counsel Internationally
Fees
No Fees
Small Contingency For SEC ‘bounty’
Anonymous Intake?
Yes

Introduction:

What kind of cases are you the right organization for?

Whistleblower Aid is the right organization for individuals who

  • Work in sensitive positions (Big Tech, Government, Intelligence & National Security)

  • Have witnessed wrongdoing and need to safely disclose this information

  • Possess evidence of legal violations, corruption, or threats to public safety but fear retaliation

  • Want to report misconduct through proper channels without breaking the law themselves

Why should AI whistleblowers come to you?

Roughly ~50% of Whistleblower Aid’s cases are in the Tech space, having supported prominent Tech whistleblowers from Facebook, Twitter, or Airbnb. Founded by a whistleblower, they combine legal expertise with practical support throughout the whistleblowing process – from secure initial contact to legal representation and public advocacy when appropriate.

They specialize in high-stakes whistleblowing cases where the information serves significant public interest and where expert legal guidance is essential to navigate complex legal frameworks like classified information statutes, non-disclosure agreements, and whistleblower protection laws.

They are aligned to integrate expertise of OAISIS/Third Opinion experts on AI cases.

Why do you care about Whistleblowing in AI?

AI is a critical technology that deserves the public’s eye in line with Whistleblower Aid’s mission.

Get in Touch

Link to the SecureDropLink to Contact Instructions

(Past) cases of the team

Ongoing: A whistleblower’s disclosure details how DOGE may have taken sensitive labor data

Whistleblower Dan Berulis has exposed DOGE’s alleged theft of NLRB systems data. Evidence suggests Russian actors gained immediate access to the information. Berulis faces physical intimidation after revealing the breach, which could affect millions of Americans.

The Facebook Whistleblower, Frances Haugen, Says She Wants to Fix the Company, Not Harm It

Whistleblower Aid helped Frances Haugen release Facebook documents and arrange congressional hearings, coordinating media coverage with The Wall Street Journal and 60 Minutes. Their expertise informs ongoing investigations and legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act. 

Ex-Twitter exec blows the whistle, alleging reckless and negligent cybersecurity policies

Before Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter, Peiter “Mudge” Zatko—the company’s former head of security—raised serious concerns about its security, privacy, and infrastructure failures. To do so, he sought support from Whistleblower Aid. With assistance from their co-counsel at Katz Banks & Kumin, they submitted disclosures to the SEC, DOJ, and FTC, as well as to key Congressional committees, helping to spark global media coverage.

Resources

Link to an Interview by NYT with John Tyde, Co-Founder of Whistleblower Aid in 2019: How to Be A Whistle-Blower

Interview with Frances Haugen, Facebook Whistleblower, on Whistleblowing on the Age of AI, including a quote by Libby Liu, CEO of Whistleblower Aid, who represented Frances Haugen

Case Focus

Type of Cases

Clear law breaking

No clear law-breaking but with significant public interest

Out of scope: Cases with no suspected law-breaking (i.e. pure public disclosure without law-breaking)

Focus Areas

Tech
Government

Intelligence & National Security

Timing

As soon as possible. Ideally starting before a whistleblower takes risky steps on their own

Barred in

District of Columbia

Maryland

New York

Connecticut

They may not be the best fit for…

Cases that do not carry an element of public interest.

Individual profiles:

Chief Executive Officer

Libby Liu

Libby Liu is an internationally renowned expert on human rights, press freedom, information operations and internet freedom who joined Whistleblower Aid as chief executive officer in April 2021.

Libby Liu is an internationally renowned expert on human rights, press freedom, information operations and internet freedom who joined Whistleblower Aid as chief executive officer in April 2021. Prior to joining Whistleblower Aid, Ms. Liu created the Open Technology Fund (OTF), where she spearheaded efforts to support tools that circumvent censorship and surveillance and advance free speech worldwide. Today, more than 2 billion people use OTF-supported technologies every day, including Signal, TOR and Wireguard.
Ms. Liu was compelled to create OTF to protect the digital lives of individuals while serving as president of Radio Free Asia (RFA), a non-profit media company that provides uncensored objective news and information otherwise unavailable to audiences in East Asia. In 16 years at the helm, she led RFA’s vision, directed RFA’s editorial strategy and shaped its administrative policies, working closely with a bipartisan board, its grantor agency, USAGM, oversight and appropriations committees of the U.S. Congress, the State Department, international public broadcasters and stakeholders in the U.S. and abroad.
Ms. Liu has served as assistant district attorney in the San Francisco District Attorney’s office and is a former corporate labor and employment law attorney. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California-Berkeley, an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. In 2021, she was honored as a Luxembourg Peace Prize laureate for outstanding work on technology that promotes peace.
Chief Legal Counsel

Andrew P. Bakaj, Esq.

Andrew P. Bakaj is a former U.S. intelligence officer and a preeminent expert on lawful whistleblowing.

Andrew P. Bakaj is a former U.S. intelligence officer and a preeminent expert on lawful whistleblowing. In oversight roles at the Department of Defense and Central Intelligence Agency, he has investigated fraud, waste, and abuse and written federal regulations prohibiting retaliation. Mr. Bakaj was a lawful whistleblower at the CIA, experienced employment retaliation, and was ultimately vindicated through an investigation.
He was also Whistleblower Aid’s first client. Working closely with Mr. Bakaj, the Whistleblower Aid team successfully blocked a presidential appointment of an individual who reprised against Mr. Bakaj and who, during their confirmation process, perjured themselves before Congress. He served as lead counsel to the anonymous intelligence officer whose 2019 disclosures about Ukraine led to the first impeachment of President Trump—keeping them safe and in their job.
Mr. Bakaj is the founding and managing partner of Compass Rose Legal Group, PLLC and is the recipient of numerous professional accolades including the Department of Defense Career Achievement Award and being named “Investigator of the Year” for his work on chemical weapons storage. He was also named 2020 “Lawyer of the Year” by the Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association, along with Mark Zaid, and Washingtonian magazine recognized him as one of Washington’s top attorneys and one of Washington’s most influential people. Mr. Bakaj holds a bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University and a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law.
Chief Strategy Officer

Naomi Seligman

Naomi Seligman is a nationally-recognized strategic communications and accountability leader who has spent decades working in government and political advocacy.

Naomi Seligman is a nationally-recognized strategic communications and accountability leader who has spent decades working in government and political advocacy. After years on Capitol Hill, she directed anti-corruption and transparency campaigns through organizations she helped launch and lead, including Citizens and Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and Media Matters, to hold accountable powerful officials, expose political front groups and media disinformation and wage underdog campaigns against entrenched corporate interests.
During her career, she has also advocated on behalf of mission-driven organizations and whistleblowers, including an outed CIA agent.
Ms. Seligman is a former whistleblower herself.
Ms. Seligman has been an outspoken advocate for the #MeToo movement and in 2020 presented a TEDxTalk, Why we need to know #HowToMeToo, on strategies for taking the movement forward and empowering victims and survivors in all walks of life. She has served as a Senior Fellow with the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab, USC Marshall School of Business and is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Support Offerings

This organization offers the following support offerings to (potential) whistleblowers along their journey.

If you are looking for more details on what might be included in each category, scroll further below. If you have questions on their exact offerings, please get in touch with us. 

Offerings*

Offered?

Comment

Initial Support & Intake
Inhouse
Legal Support
Inhouse & Network
Technical & Evidence Support
Inhouse
Security
Inhouse
Financial support
No
Media Support
Inhouse
Psychosocial support
Inhouse
Post-Resolution Support
Inhouse

Detail Reference for Support Offerings

For your reference, the following table details what might be included in the above outlined offerings.

They are a general indication for your understanding and not necessarily offered in full by they organization.

If you require more details on a specific organization’s detailed offerings, please get in touch with us.  

Service Sample Details
Initial Support & Intake Free initial consultation
Attorney-client privileged consultation
Secure/encrypted communications channels
Anonymous reporting option
Multi-language support
Initial risk assessment
Legal Support Direct legal representation
Attorney referral network
Legal fee coverage/pro bono services
Contingency fee arrangements
Legal research support
Filing assistance with relevant agencies
Legal document preparation
Representation in retaliation cases
Seal/confidentiality protection
Immunity negotiation
Technical & Evidence Support Secure document collection methods
Digital evidence preservation
Metadata protection
Technical evidence analysis
Expert witness coordination
Forensic accounting support
Legal document preparation
Technical validation of claims
Data anonymization
Security & Protection Digital security assessment
Device security measures
Online identity protection
Counter-surveillance support
Physical security assessment
Safe housing/relocation assistance
Family protection measures
Identity change support (extreme cases)
Temporary relocation
Long-term security planning
Financial Support Living expenses during proceedings
Career transition assistance
Job search support
Reward/bounty program guidance
Financial planning support
Emergency funds
Loan arrangements
Insurance coverage guidance
Fundraising assistance
Media & Public Relations Media strategy development
Interview coaching
Statement preparation
Media contact vetting
Controlled release coordination
Social media management
Public narrative development
Crisis communications support
Platform coordination
Psychological & Wellbeing Individual therapy/counseling
Support group access
Family counseling
Stress management training
Resilience building
Trauma-informed support
Health insurance coordination
Wellness program access
Long-term mental health support
Post-Resolution Support
Case outcome analysis
Policy reform advocacy
Ongoing security monitoring
Public recognition support
Community integration
Long-term financial planning
Record sealing/expungement