What kind of cases are you the right organization for?

Founded in 2015 by renowned human rights attorney Jesselyn Radack, WHISPeR is focused primarily on defending whistleblowers, journalists, and suspected sources in national security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies.

The Whistleblower and Source Protection Program (WHISPeR) at ExposeFacts.org facilitates investigative journalism in the public interest by providing free, direct legal representation to whistleblowers and suspected media sources, with a focus on First Amendment protected speech, civil service, and human rights.

WHISPeR gives clients the support they need to bring transparency to otherwise unaccountable government agencies and programs. WHISPeR’s work encompasses impact litigation, media outreach, and policy advocacy. WHISPeR unlocks information in the public interest, fosters high-quality investigative journalism, protects the freedoms of speech and the press, and furthers the most critical component of a democratic society: an informed citizenry.

They do not solicit or accept classified information; however, if you are suspected of disclosing classified or other protected information, they are glad to represent you.

Why should AI whistleblowers come to you?

WHISPeR have defended some of the most consequential whistleblowers in the emerging tech space, such as Edward Snowden, Bill Binney, and Thomas Drake, as well as drone whistleblowers and AI whistleblowers like Lisa Ling. There are more and more scenarios where AI and national security overlap, and WHISPeR’s team has unmatched experience in representing people who have exposed controversial and extremely complex government programs by “three-letter agencies” (NSA, CIA, DIA and FBI) running clandestine operations that have often been found by courts to be illegal, unethical, and/or unconstitutional.

Drone Strikes on Civilians (representing Daniel Hale, Brandon Bryant, Lisa Ling and a dozen other unnamed pilots and technicians)
Warrantless Mass Domestic Surveillance (representing Edward Snowden, Thomas Drake, and Bill Binney)
Intelligence Community Abuses (representing John Kiriakou and Christopher Aaron)
Law Enforcement (representing John Parkinson)
Here a list of selected clients – many of WHISPeR’s clients however remain anonymous and confidential, especially those still working within the U.S. Intelligence Community and those who have received credible threats of retaliation from the government.

WHISPeR’s clients and work facilitating investigative journalism has been featured in award-winning documentary films like Citizen Four, Silenced, and National Bird, and major news media publications worldwide including the New York Times, Washington Post, The Guardian, New York Magazine, Pro Publica, Der Spiegel, WIRED, and The New Yorker.

Why do you care about Whistleblowing in AI?

AI is the new frontier of whistleblowing because the law often lags behind new tech, and AI is largely unregulated. AI is run by algorithms, which are created by human input. Other times, however, AI has no “human in the loop.” Whistleblowers have already revealed AI copyright infringement in training models, incorrect inputs, restrictive NDAs, no safety protocols, no accountability mechanism, and no whistleblower protection.