Some of the most impactful stories in journalism begin with a single tip from an informed insider. At The Verge, we continuously seek information about the companies, products, and government agencies that shape the way we live, work, and interact with technology. Whether you have firsthand experience with a hidden practice, possess revealing documents, or have insight into a developing trend, your tip could help expose an issue that the public needs to know about. Evidence is the cornerstone of credibility: concrete details, personal accounts, or verified documentation carry far more weight than speculation. If you have encountered something that deserves broader attention, we want to hear from you—and we are committed to protecting your identity and safety.
This guide outlines the preferred methods for sending tips to The Verge, the security precautions you should consider, and the principles that guide our handling of sensitive information. By following these recommendations, you can minimize the risks associated with whistleblowing and ensure that your contribution reaches our editorial team securely.
Email: The Easiest Way to Reach Us
Email remains the most straightforward and accessible method for submitting tips. You can send a message to our general tips address: tips@theverge.com. This mailbox is monitored by editorial staff who triage incoming leads and route them to the appropriate reporters. However, email is not inherently secure. Standard email messages travel across the internet in plain text, potentially visible to internet service providers, employers, or government surveillance programs. If your tip involves sensitive material or if you face a risk of reprisal for leaking information, you must take additional precautions.
Never use your work email, work computer, or employer-provided Wi-Fi network to send a tip. These systems are often monitored by IT departments or automated logging tools. Instead, use a personal device on a trusted network, such as your home internet or a public Wi-Fi connection that you do not regularly use. For an extra layer of security, consider using a VPN or the Tor browser to mask your IP address. Additionally, avoid including any identifying information in the body of the email unless you are comfortable revealing your identity to our reporters.
If you need to communicate with a specific staff member, you can find their email addresses on their author pages, which are linked from our staff list. Be aware that email correspondence may be subject to subpoenas or data retention policies, so for particularly sensitive tips, we recommend using an encrypted channel.
Signal: End-to-End Encryption for Text and Calls
Signal is a messaging app that provides strong end-to-end encryption for text messages, voice calls, and file transfers. Unlike email, Signal ensures that only the intended recipient can read the content of your communication. Signal stores your phone number and the timestamp of your last connection to its servers, but it does not log who you are communicating with or the content of your messages. This makes it a vastly more secure option for whistleblowers and sources who need to maintain anonymity.
To send a tip via Signal, first download the app from the official Signal website or your device's app store. Install it on a personal smartphone—ideally one that is not linked to your work or personal identity. You can use a prepaid phone or a secondary device if you wish to further dissociate from your tip. Once installed, you will need to add a recipient's phone number to your contacts before starting a conversation. The contact can be deleted after the conversation has begun, which helps reduce traces on your device.
The Verge provides Signal numbers for several staff members on their author pages and on the staff list. You can also use Signal to send tips to the general tips account, though the specific number may not be publicly listed. If you are uncertain, you can email us to request a Signal contact number, but use a secure email service like ProtonMail or a temporary address if you do.
To enhance security, the Freedom of the Press Foundation recommends locking down Signal's privacy settings: enable disappearing messages, turn off read receipts, and disable link previews. Additionally, ensure that your phone's operating system is up to date and that you do not back up your Signal messages to cloud services. These steps limit the footprint of your communication and reduce the risk of exposure if your device is later seized or compromised.
Additional Security Considerations
Beyond choosing the right communication channel, you must consider the broader context of your actions. If you are at risk of reprisals, avoid using any digital tools that could link you to your employer. Do not access tip-related websites or apps on a work device or network. Be mindful of physical surveillance: if you are meeting a journalist in person, choose a location without cameras and avoid carrying a phone that can be tracked.
Legal protections for whistleblowers vary by jurisdiction. In the United States, federal whistleblower laws protect disclosures related to government fraud, waste, and abuse, but they may not cover disclosures to media outlets. If you are unsure about your legal situation, consider consulting an attorney before reaching out. Some organizations, such as the Freedom of the Press Foundation and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, offer resources and legal referrals.
The Verge adheres to best practices set by the Freedom of the Press Foundation when handling tips. This means we do not use third-party analytics or ad trackers on our tip page, and we serve the page over HTTPS to prevent interception. We also encourage sources to request encrypted file transfers if they need to share documents securely. Our reporters are trained to verify the authenticity of tips and to protect source identities to the fullest extent of the law.
What Happens After You Send a Tip
Once your tip reaches our editorial team, it enters a workflow of evaluation. We assess the newsworthiness, credibility, and potential impact of the information. If we determine that the tip warrants further investigation, we may reach out to you for additional details or documentation. This step is critical for corroborating facts and ensuring that any story we publish is accurate and fair.
During this process, we prioritize confidentiality. We will not share your identity or contact information without your explicit consent. In some cases, we may agree to publish information with an anonymous attribution, provided that we can independently verify the material. The decision to remain anonymous is entirely yours, and we respect your choices regarding how your identity is handled.
Not all tips lead to a story. Some may be too narrow, unverifiable, or outside our editorial focus. However, even if we do not use your tip immediately, we may store it for future reference if it becomes relevant later. We do not sell or share tip data with third parties.
Historical context underscores the importance of secure tipping channels. The 2013 Edward Snowden revelations about global surveillance programs were made possible through encrypted communications and careful source protection. More recently, whistleblowers at major tech companies have used Signal to provide internal documents that exposed unethical practices. These cases demonstrate that when systems are designed with security in mind, the public interest is better served.
In summary, if you have information that you believe the public should know about, we encourage you to reach out using the most secure method available to you. Email is the easiest, but Signal offers superior encryption and anonymity. Always prioritize your safety—use personal devices, avoid digital traces, and consider legal advice when appropriate. The Verge is committed to responsible journalism, and we rely on sources like you to uncover the truth.
For advertising, technical support, or other non-editorial inquiries, please refer to the appropriate channels on our website. This page is dedicated solely to editorial tips and is served without third-party analytics to protect your privacy.
Source: The Verge News