Hush Line: The Open-Source Platform for Anonymous Whistleblowing
October 2025: European Cybersecurity Month
October 1 marked the start of European Cybersecurity Month, an annual awareness campaign that offers practical guidance to EU citizens on how to stay safe online. The campaign is coordinated by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and the European Commission, with support from EU member states and hundreds of partners across Europe and beyond.
This year’s theme is particularly relevant: combating phishing and social engineering. Currently, 60% of cyberattacks start with phishing, an attempt to steal information or gain access to systems through deceptive messages or fraudulent websites. The campaign’s motto, “Cybersecurity is a Shared Responsibility,” emphasizes a fundamental concept: cybersecurity is a collective responsibility.
As Executive Vice President for Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen stated: “Cybersecurity is not just about technology; it is a critical condition for all sectors of society and a shared responsibility.”
The Human Factor in Cybersecurity
The focus of the 2025 edition is on the human factor in cybersecurity, with an emphasis on strengthening skills, supporting safer online experiences, and building a culture of preparedness. It is not enough to have advanced technologies if people do not know how to use them safely or do not have access to tools that truly protect their privacy.
It is precisely in this context that solutions like Hush Line become essential: tools that combine high-level technological security with ease of use, allowing anyone to communicate securely without requiring specialized cybersecurity expertise.
Hush Line: Cybersecurity Applied to Whistleblower Protection
As a member of the Hush Line team, I am proud to be part of a project that perfectly embodies the principles promoted by European Cybersecurity Month: security, transparency, and shared responsibility.
What is Hush Line?
Hush Line is a tool that provides individuals and organizations with anonymous, open-source, end-to-end encrypted reporting lines.
It is the first open-source software-as-a-service (SaaS) and platform-as-a-service (PaaS) whistleblowing management system designed for lawyers, journalists, educators, business leaders, and other professionals.
In practice, Hush Line allows anyone to create their own “tip line”—an anonymous reporting line—where they can receive encrypted messages without the sender having to reveal their identity or create an account.
Compliance with Cybersecurity Best Practices
Hush Line is not just a whistleblowing tool; it is a platform designed in accordance with European and international cybersecurity best practices.
Protection against Social Engineering
In line with the theme of Cybersecurity Month 2025, Hush Line protects users from social engineering threats through:
- Verified accounts: We offer free verified accounts for organizations and individuals, so whistleblowers know their message is reaching the right person, preventing impersonation attacks.
- No personal data required: By eliminating the need to share sensitive information, we drastically reduce the attack surface.
- Education and transparency: Comprehensive documentation and verifiable code help users understand how to protect themselves
Security by Design
In 2024, Hush Line’s managed service, Personal Server, and self-hosted version received a security audit from Subgraph, sponsored by the Open Tech Fund Security Lab. This independent audit confirmed that the platform was built with security at the heart of every design decision.
Cyber Hygiene and Digital Resilience
Hush Line actively promotes “cyber hygiene” — good digital security practices — by making security accessible:
- Ease of use: You don’t need to be an expert to use Hush Line securely
- Automatic encryption: end-to-end protection is enabled by default for PGP key users
- Privacy by design and by default: No personally identifiable information is required, not even an email address
The Value of Open Source: Transparency and Trust
In a landscape where 60% of cyberattacks start with phishing and digital trust is constantly under attack, open-source is a concrete response. When it comes to protecting whistleblowers and handling sensitive information, trust cannot be based on promises, but on verifiable facts.
Total Code Verifiability
The source code is publicly verifiable: anyone can review, copy, and use it. That means that:
- No hidden backdoors: Security experts, researchers, and developers around the world can examine every line of code to verify that there are no intentional vulnerabilities or hidden access points.
- Independent audits: The community can conduct independent security audits, not just those officially commissioned
- Total transparency: You don’t have to trust what you are told unquestioningly—you can verify for yourself how the system works
Security Through Peer Review
The open-source approach means that thousands of eyes are looking at the code. Bugs and vulnerabilities are identified and fixed more quickly than with proprietary software. The platform encourages the reporting of vulnerabilities through a dedicated tip line, enabling the community to contribute actively to security.
Freedom and Control
Self-Hosting: Don’t want to depend on a cloud service? You can download the code from GitHub and install Hush Line on your own servers, giving you complete control over your data and infrastructure.
Customization: As an open-source project, you can modify the code to suit your specific needs, extend its functionality, or integrate it with existing systems.
No Vendor Lock-in: You can migrate, modify, or manage the system as needed.
Community and Contributions
The GitHub repository is not just code—it’s an active community:
- Comprehensive Documentation: Detailed guides for setup, configuration, and cybersecurity best practices
- Issues and discussions: A public space where users and developers collaborate to improve the platform
- Open contributions: Anyone can contribute to the project by improving features, fixing bugs, or translating documentation
- Transparent roadmap: You can see what is being developed and propose new features
Sustainability and Longevity
An open-source project does not die if the company that maintains it goes out of business. The code remains available, allowing the community to continue supporting it, and knowledge is not lost. For a critical tool such as a whistleblowing system, this guarantee of continuity is essential.
Trust Through Transparency
In a world where privacy is increasingly under attack, open-source represents an act of responsibility and transparency. No trust is required; the tools to perform checks are provided directly. That is precisely the spirit of Cybersecurity Month: empowerment through knowledge and transparency.
How Does It Work?
The operation is effortless, both for those who receive and those who send messages:
For those who manage a tip line:
No personally identifiable information is required to use the service, not even an email address. You can register, create your personal page, and start receiving reports. Messages can be delivered directly to your email inbox, allowing you to configure the system once and never have to think about it again.
For those sending a report:
There is no need to create an account or download any apps. Simply visit the page of the person or organization you want to send the message to and write it. The system is entirely web-based and accessible from any browser.
Who is Hush Line designed for?
The versatility of Hush Line makes it suitable for multiple scenarios:
Journalists and Newsrooms
The public user directory allows sources to easily find and contact the press without having to download an app or create an account.
Companies and Boards of Directors
Companies pay billions in fines every year. Hush Line provides employees with a confidential way to report and resolve issues as they arise.
Lawyers and Law Firms
Facilitates contact for people who need advanced privacy and security without compromising their safety.
Educators and School Administrations
Teachers and school boards can register and share their contact information with students as a safe way to reach a trusted adult.
Software Developers
How do you receive vulnerability reports for your software? End-to-end encrypted messages keep your secrets safe.
Organizers and Activists
Provides everyone in the community with a secure way to report information, regardless of their technical expertise.
Why Choose Hush Line?
Simpler than Signal
Signal is great, but it requires whistleblowers to download a new app, register with a valid phone number, create a username, and more. Hush Line, on the other hand, is web-based and does not require whistleblowers to create an account or download a new app, removing all barriers for potential whistleblowers.
Different from SecureDrop
SecureDrop is a robust platform whose architecture is necessary for particular use cases, but it requires managing multiple servers locally with a dedicated network. Hush Line is not a replacement for SecureDrop, but is designed for organizations that may not have the staff to manage such a system.
We simplify the security model by being a text-only service, which means there is no possibility of receiving files that could damage your computer or network.
Key Features
Custom Encrypted Forms
You can customize the message form to fit your business or workflow needs exactly, available to Super Users.
Verified Accounts
Hush Line offers free, verified accounts for organizations and individuals, so whistleblowers know their message is reaching the right person.
Message Management and Response
Tip line owners can easily accept, reject, and archive messages, automatically informing the sender of the relevant next steps.
Personal Server
For increased threats and all levels of expertise, the Personal Server is a copy of the Hush Line platform that runs only on Tor, which the user owns and controls.
Certified Privacy and Security
In 2024, Hush Line’s managed service, Personal Server, and self-hosted version received a security audit from Subgraph, sponsored by the Open Tech Fund Security Lab.
The platform guarantees:
- End-to-End Encryption: The same encryption used by CERN scientists. Hush Line utilizes OpenPGP.js for client-side encryption, providing users who add their public PGP key with end-to-end encryption for their messages.
- Anonymity with Tor: Hush Line offers an Onion service for users with advanced privacy needs, accessible via Tor Browser, making connections and activities completely anonymous.
- Open-Source: Publicly verifiable source code; you can review, copy, and use it.
An Ethical and Accessible Model
Hush Line was built by Science & Design, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit in the United States. The basic service is completely free, with paid plans available for organizations that require advanced features, such as custom forms or single-tenant installations for maximum security.
Recognition
Hush Line has been recognized by publications such as TIME and Newsweek for its innovative approach to whistleblower protection.
Special Thanks
Being part of the Hush Line team is a privilege and a responsibility that I take very seriously.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Glenn Sorrentino, Executive Director of Science & Design, Inc., for his visionary leadership and tireless commitment to building tools that prioritize people’s privacy and security.
His dedication to the cause of freedom of expression and access to information is a daily inspiration.
A heartfelt thank you also goes to all my colleagues on the team: your extraordinary work, technical expertise, and ethical commitment make Hush Line a solid and reliable reality.
Every line of code, every design decision, every security improvement is the result of exceptional teamwork.
Together, we can build something important: a tool that can genuinely make a difference in the lives of those who dare to speak out against injustice, corruption, and abuse.
That is why we get up every morning and continue to work with passion.
Conclusion: Cybersecurity as a Shared Responsibility
As the motto of European Cybersecurity Month reminds us, “Cybersecurity is a Shared Responsibility.”
Hush Line embodies this philosophy by offering a tool that makes security accessible to everyone, not just experts.
In a world where 60% of cyberattacks begin with social engineering techniques, we need solutions that protect people not only with advanced technology but also with simplicity, transparency, and education.
Think Before You Click—but when you do click, make sure you have the right tools to protect yourself.
Learn more and create your free tip line at hushline.app
GitHub repository: github.com/scidsg/hushline
Complete documentation: Available in the repository for setup, contributions, and best practices
More information about European Cybersecurity Month: cybersecuritymonth.eu
Related Hashtag
#HushLine #OpenSource #Whistleblowing #CyberSecMonth #ECSM2025 #ThinkB4UClick #Privacy #Cybersecurity #EndToEndEncryption #DigitalRights #TechForGood #OpenSourceSecurity #Cybersicurezza #WhistleblowerProtection #AnonymousTipLine #OnlineSafety #InfoSec #DataProtection #FOSS #TransparencyMatters