1. Core principles
We collect only what is relevant, restrict access to those who need it, verify before publication, minimise avoidable harm, and distinguish source contact permission from permission to identify or quote a person.
2. Submission modes
- Anonymous: the form does not collect identity or contact fields. Avoid identifying yourself in the tip or file metadata.
- Confidential: identity and contact details are required for verification but are not published without a later, explicit agreement.
- On the record: identity and contact details are required. Selecting this mode does not itself authorise publication of a name, image or quotation; a journalist confirms the intended attribution.
3. Access and source protection
Tip records and private R2 attachments are available only through authenticated editorial systems to authorised staff. Access is role-controlled and operational activity may be logged. A formal confidential-source undertaking must be approved by a responsible editor and recorded. We seek legal advice before responding to demands that may reveal a protected source.
4. Uploaded evidence
A submitter must have a lawful basis to provide each file. Do not upload malware, unlawfully intercepted communications, hacked data, non-consensual intimate material, sexual material involving a child, or material whose disclosure would create an immediate and unjustified safety risk. Images are limited to 10 MB each, videos to 40 MB each, six files and 80 MB total.
Files may contain metadata such as device, time or location information. We may inspect metadata for verification, preserve an original for evidential integrity, and remove sensitive metadata from material prepared for publication.
5. Verification and publication
- We test provenance, timing, location, context and possible manipulation.
- Serious allegations require corroboration and a fair opportunity to respond, unless a responsible editor records why that is unsafe or impracticable.
- We do not publish unnecessary identity details, private contact information or sensitive metadata.
- Payment, sponsorship or a source’s interest must not determine editorial conclusions and must be disclosed where material.
6. Children and sensitive information
Material concerning children, health, sexuality, race, political views, alleged offences, victims or vulnerable people receives heightened review. We consider age, capacity, guardian involvement, safety and public interest; obscure identity where identification is not justified; and do not publish a child’s identifying details merely because an adult supplied them.
7. External disclosure
We do not sell tipster details or use them for direct marketing. Evidence may be shared with tightly instructed service providers, legal advisers or specialists; with authorities where legally required; or to prevent a credible and imminent threat. We record and limit disclosure where reasonably possible.
8. Retention and disposal
Rejected or unactioned tips are reviewed for deletion after 24 months. Active investigation material is reviewed annually. Source and evidence records supporting published reporting may be retained for seven years after last material use, longer where needed for an active claim, legal hold, public-interest archive or source-protection obligation. Security logs are ordinarily retained for 12 months. Deletion covers active databases and object storage; encrypted backups expire through their normal rotation.
9. Questions and requests
Contact newsroom@saverifiednews.co.zafor editorial handling or privacy@saverifiednews.co.zafor privacy requests. See the Privacy Requests procedure.