GlobaLeaks

The software was originally developed by the Hermes Center for Transparency and Digital Human Rights, an Italian-based NGO supporting freedom of speech online.

The project concept was initiated by Fabio Pietrosanti and shared for the first time within the hacktivist community on 15 December 2010.[2]

Relevant figures in the first development are Claudio Agosti, Arturo Filastò, Michele Orrù, Giovanni Pellerano, and Fabio Pietrosanti.[3][4][5][6]

The first prototype was announced on 6 September 2011 on the Full disclosure mailing list.[7]

Asked by an interviewer on how the GlobaLeaks project began, Filastò explained: "After the whole WikiLeaks Cablegate drama we decided to work on this."[8]

The idea for GlobaLeaks "was born from the realization of a need for journalists to ensure the confidentiality of their sources despite an insecure network." It is designed to be used by journalists who do not have advanced computer skills but who need a secure platform to protect their sources. The software enables journalists and their sources to communicate securely, allowing "a continuous flow of data among individuals with complete security." It also enables journalists to verify sources by requesting various kinds of data and documents. Moreover, GlobaLeaks is more flexible than WikiLeaks, which is only in English, and is centralized, with a focus on "events of national and international resonance." GlobaLeaks, by contrast, "allows you to communicate in the language of users and is open to local issues with an impact on everyday life."[9]

A GlobaLeaks site utilizes Tor Hidden Services[10] in order to guarantee the anonymity of the source.[4]

Once the submission is performed on a GlobaLeaks platform, the data is encrypted using PGP and the system automatically notifies registered recipients (e.g., local media, NGOs, or even single journalists). GlobaLeaks platforms do not store anything permanently and the submitted information and files are deleted as soon as possible with a strict data retention policy.[11][12]

The process is generally improved by suggesting the sources to use the Tails anonymous operating system while connecting to GlobaLeaks.

JavaScript is required from the user agent to access GlobaLeaks.[13]

By 2021, GlobaLeaks has been internationalized in 40+ languages and implemented by several thousands projects and initiatives all over the world. The vast range of adopters include independent media, activists, media agencies, corporations, and more.

Major organizations supporting the setup of GlobaLeaks based whistleblowing platforms are Free Press Unlimited (FPU) and Associated Whistleblowing Press (AWP).

FPU, a Netherland-based organization in 2014 created PubLeaks Netherlands,[14][15] "a foundation that counts 42 of the country's biggest media organizations among its members that uses the platform to perform investigative journalism under a same umbrella project.

FPU has replicated this successful model in other countries creating AfriLeaks, MéxicoLeaks and IndonesiaLeaks in Africa, Mexico and Indonesia respectively.[6] MexicoLeaks aimed at revealing information for the public interest in Mexico was awarded in 2016 the FRIDA award.[16]

AWP, a Belgium-based organization, created Ljost (Iceland), Filtrala (Spain), EcuadorTransparente (Ecuador)[17][18] and PeruLeaks (Peru).[19] AWP co-founder Pedro Noel describes AWP as "a nonprofit organization which struggles for freedom of expression and against human rights violations by means of whistleblowing."[8]

One of the most successful GlobaLeaks projects is WildLeaks, the world's first whistleblower initiative dedicated to Wildlife and Forest Crime funded and managed by the Elephant Action League (EAL) which reported and investigated various crimes. One of the investigations was highlighted in the award-winning Netflix documentary "The Ivory Game".[20][21][22]

GlobaLeaks also partnered with major anticorruption and human rights NGOs like Transparency International (Allerta Anticorruzione),[23] OCCRP (OCCRPLeaks) and Amnesty International (Amlea).[24]

In 2017, Xnet, an activist project which has been working on and for networked democracy and digital rights since 2008, launched in the Barcelona City Hall the first public Anti-Corruption Complaint Box using anonymity protection technology like Tor and GlobaLeaks ("Bústia Ètica" in Catalan). With this pioneering project, the Barcelona City Hall is the first municipal government to invite citizens to use tools which enable them to send information in a way that is secure, that guarantees privacy and gives citizens the option to be totally anonymous.[25]

In 2018 the Italian Anti-Corruption Authority (ANAC), an administrative watchdog, launched their national online whistleblowing platform using GlobaLeaks and onion services, giving whistleblowers who come forward a secure way to report illegal activity while protecting their identities.[26]

Since 2020 the software is now recommended by Transparency International among the available secure, ethical and free solutions that could be used to implement whistleblowing systems for anticorruption purposes. [27]

In 2011, GlobaLeaks 0.1 received funding from USAID Serbia.

In 2012, GlobaLeaks 2.0 had been funded with $108,400 by the Open Technology Fund under the Freedom2Connect program.[28]

In 2013, the project was able to survive with few donations and a lot of volunteer work done by its core members.

In 2014, GlobaLeaks has been awarded €200,000 by the Hivos Foundation for Project Deployments of Whistleblowing Initiatives in the Global South.[29]

In July 2014, GlobaLeaks project has been funded with ~$234,000 by the Open Technology Fund.[28]

In September 2014, Transparency International Italy started up its AntiCorruption Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ALAC)[30] with a contribution of €6,000 from an EU grant.

• Associated Whistleblowing Press
• Pretty Good Privacy
• SecureDrop
• Tails (operating system)
• Tor (anonymity network)
• Whistleblowing

• Official website