Whistleblower protection in the united states. If not, please contact the OIG's Whistleblower Protection Coordinator. · Fostering a culture of honesty, integrity, and accountability in the workplace. Presidential Policy Directive 19 (PPD-19), “Protecting Whistleblowers with Access to Classified Information” and title 10, United States Code, section 1034 (10 U. The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989, 5 U. " Whistleblowing is an important tool for protecting the public interest and ensuring that organizations are held accountable. Foreign Corruption. L. 125 Dec 7, 2022 · Conclusion. While these laws are not as advanced as in the US, the idea that individuals should be encouraged to report fraud and be protected, if they do, is taking root as an ethical if not a legal principle. ) (governing disclosures that could expose confidential Government agents); A seaman is any individual (except a member of the Armed Forces) engaged (i. It is recommended to look at the individual state laws for whistleblower protection programs. USPS OIG. Founded in 1977, the non-partisan organisation provides legal assistance to whistleblowers and promotes the enactment and improvement of whistleblower protection laws domestically and internationally. In recent months there have been important developments in whistleblowing in both the U nited States and the U nited Kingdom. Protecting whistleblowers is not just an act of justice; it is a necessity for the health of our democracy and institutions. Dec 1, 2017 · Section snippets Background and hypotheses development. On February 21, 2018, the United States Supreme Court issued an opinion in Digital Realty Trust, Inc. Department of Education (Department) funds, programs and operations. 20551. Generally, OIG will request permission from the employee before disclosing their identity, except when the Inspector General determines that disclosing the The role of a whistleblower in the United States is pivotal, helping to maintain a balance in society by bringing attention to misconduct. Both parties are also given an opportunity to rebut the opposing party's position. Oct 1, 2017 · Abstract. This convention was subsequently signed by 140 nations and formally ratified, accepted, approved, or acceded by 137 nations, including the United States. Jun 20, 2016 · The main provisions of Georgia whistleblower laws are listed in the following table. In fact, it is unlawful for any personnel action to be taken against you because of whistleblowing. Dec 22, 2021 · Many federal whistleblower laws exist but most states have their own versions. By Mike Bothwell Whistleblower. WHISTLEBLOWER INCENTIVES AND PROTECTIONS. v. Federal Relay Service: 800-877-8339. Feb 4, 2016 · Section 2302(b)(8) of title 5, United States Code, as amended by the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 (governing disclosures of illegality, waste, fraud, abuse or public health or safety threats); Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982 (50 U. OIG strives to maintain as confidential the identity of the employee. OPM employees, contractors, subcontractors, and grantees are protected from retaliation for making a “protected disclosure. 22–660. This means we cannot confirm or deny the existence of an investigation or give you updates on the status of your report. DHS employees, contractors, subcontractors, grantees, subgrantees, and personal services contractors are protected by law from retaliation for making a protected disclosure. What to Expect During an Investigation; Alternative Dispute Resolution Program; Settling a Whistleblower Case; State Plan Information; Resources . Environmental Protection; Fraud and Financial Issues; Health Insurance; Transportation Services; Investigation Process . e. The report highlights a record-breaking year for the SEC's whistleblower bounty program in certain respects, explains factors that can increase or decrease award Feb 6, 2023 · The report provides, for each law, the popular name of the act with a whistleblower or employee protection provision. ) (governing disclosures that could expose confidential government agents) Apr 27, 2018 · The United States recognizes that whistleblowing is vital to effective law enforcement efforts as well as the preservation of democracy. Washington, DC 20036-4505. OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program. Dec 19, 2014 · Section 2302 (b) (8) of Title 5, United States Code, as amended by the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 (governing disclosures of illegality, waste, fraud, abuse or public health or safety threats); Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982, 50 U. You have the right to file a whistleblower complaint with OSHA if you believe your employer retaliated against you for exercising your rights as an employee under the whistleblower protection laws enforced by OSHA. From social media companies to government institutions to financial giants, whistleblower complaints against these organizations have been prominent in Healthcare Frauds. Tel. Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) The Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) protects Federal employees and applicants for employment who lawfully disclose information they Apr 25, 2017 · In the United States, for example, federal whistleblower protection laws have been in place since 1978, and in 2010 all companies listed on the U. Mar 25, 2021 · In instances where the Secretary of Labor rules against the whistleblower or does not issue a final order within 270 days of the whistleblower’s complaint, the PRO Act allows whistleblowers to “bring an action at law or equity for de novo review in the appropriate district court of the United States. Somers stating that the Dodd-Frank anti-retaliation provisions only extend to those persons who provide information relating to a violation of the securities laws to the SEC. Pursuant to the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, established a Whistleblower Ombudsman in the OIG to educate Department employees about prohibitions on retaliation for whistleblowing, as well as employees' rights and remedies if anyone retaliates against Section § 5323. 112-199, §§104 (b) (2), 115 (a) (2), the NCUA hereby gives notice on its website that it is a prohibited personnel practice for the agency to implement or enforce any Jan 24, 2024 · As a result, whistleblower laws should include professional emotional support as a temporary and permanent remedy. Report an unsafe product. In the United States Whistleblowers of America’s exclusively mission is helping whistleblowers cope with emotional stress and pain from retaliation. (a) Definitions. Military Whistleblower Protection Act of 1988 (MWPA), as amended at title 10, United States Code, Section 1034, and elsewhere, is an American law providing protection of lawful disclosures of illegal activity by members of the United States Armed Forces. Objective. § 2302 (b) (8)) protects federal employees or applicants for federal employment from retaliation for making protected disclosures. The Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) was codified in 1989 and amended in 2012 ( Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act) and 2017 ( Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 ). Whistleblowers are employees who expose illegal, fraudulent or unsafe activity to internal or external authorities. decades, governments have enacted standalone whistleblower protection laws. 2. Office of the Ombuds. Whistleblower protection has been recognized as part of international law since 2003, when the United Nations adopted the Convention Against Corruption. [5] Still, this country has had a long struggle with providing adequate support for Mar 2, 2021 · The Government Accountability Project is the preeminent whistleblower protection and advocacy organisation in the United States. This complex legal framework is the leading influence on whistleblower laws around the globe, which continue to rise in adoption and popularity. Perhaps the most noteworthy example of the challenges in designing and implementing a whistleblower law is the United Kingdom, which in 1998 became the second country (after the United States) to enact a whistleblower protection law, the Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA). 421 et seq. Finally, the False Claims Act (FCA) allows individuals to file lawsuits on behalf of the government against entities that have committed fraud Feb 5, 2024 · The U. A disclosure is protected if it is Nov 7, 2022 · The Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 (WPEA) was signed into law by President Obama on November 27, 2012. It does not create new legal obligations and it is not a substitute for the U. The very subject matter of the complaint may identify the employee. Both parties are expected to actively participate in the investigation and to respond to OSHA's requests. OSEC Ombuds Office, M-4775. The whistleblower protection provisions in the False Claims Act make it easier and safer for individuals to come forward to provide evidence of fraud against the federal government. The landscape of whistleblower laws in the United States is quite diverse. Prohibited Employer Activity. In the United States, whistleblower Rick Bright was an outspoken critic of the government’s response to the crisis. America’s first whistleblowers. Currently, eighteen states have whistleblower laws that offer such protection. It also includes the United States Code or public law May 1, 2024 · Whistleblower protections have a profound impact on employees' work lives by: · Empowering them to report unlawful activities without fear of reprisal. 421, et seq. Prior to the U. Washington, D. The discussion that follows presents the results of this comprehensive up-to-date study of state-level whistleblowing provisions. Most needed elements are not intuitive, but require specific policies, accountabilities and programs. Jul 28, 2023 · Publicly Released: August 1, 2023. In September 2020, the Commission adopted amendments to the rule Dec 30, 2019 · This article discusses whistleblower protection in the United States and with a focus on federal whistleblower rights and remedies in a labor context. Anti-Money Laundering. "Whistleblower" is a term of art used to refer to the broader category of "employee protection" provisions of various laws. Article 32 and Article 33 of the UN Convention endorse protection for whistleblowers. Please fill out our inquiry form or call us at 650-697-6000 with questions. Section 2302 (b) (8) of Title 5, United States Code, as amended by the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 and the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 (governing disclosures of illegality, waste, fraud, abuse or public health or safety threats); Section 2302 (b) (8) of Title 5, United States Code, as amended by the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 (governing disclosures of illegality, waste, fraud, abuse or public health or safety threats); Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982 (50 U. Federal laws protect and provide remedies for employees of certain entities that receive Do you have a question about whistleblower protection? Your question may already be answered here in our list of frequently asked questions. L. In States with OSHA-approved State Plans, employees may file complaints under section 11 (c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act with Federal OSHA and with the State Plan In the United States, there are dozens of laws at the federal, state and local levels that offer protections and rewards for whistleblowers. At federal level, t he Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) of 1989 protects both employees and applicants for employment who lawfully report government wrongdoing and mismanagement. Currently, eighteen states have . Jul 31, 2017 · reform whistleblower protection in the United States has been triggered by some form of crisis, such as the corporate scandals in the late 1990s or the Great Recession of 2007 and 2008. Congress enacted the whistleblower protections of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to prohibit publicly traded companies from retaliating against employees who report what they reasonably believe to be in-stances of criminal fraud or securities law violations. That definition includes corporations incorporated The premise is that whistleblowing clauses have value, albeit uncertain, in the practice of public administration. However, only a few countries, such as the United Kingdom, South Africa, the United States, Canada, and Japan have comprehensive laws (Banisar 2006). You can also send us your complaint by mail to: ATTN: HOTLINE. Discover the world's research 25+ million members There is a growing body of statutory laws in the United States that provide protection to whistleblowers. This chapter will focus on the development of the modern federal whistleblower protection statutes, their origin in good government initiatives, the elements needed to prove whistleblower retaliation under the law, and the role of the US Apr 25, 2024 · The report provides, for each law, the popular name of the act with a whistleblower or employee protection provision. Representative Cases in Which the United Nations or its Funds, Programmes or Agencies have not Complied with Best Practices in Whistleblower Protection (August 2014): This report details ten representative whistleblower cases from the United Nations and its funds, programs and agencies. 2302(b)(8)-(9), Pub. Argued October 10, 2023—Decided February 8, 2024. There are, however, limits on the Commission's ability to shield your identity. (governing disclosures that could expose confidential Government agents May 28, 2024 · Statistic 11. · Ensuring a safe and ethical work environment conducive to productivity and well-being. —In this section: (5) Whistleblower. In 1777, shortly after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, naval officers Samuel Shaw and Richard Marven, part of a small group of men who had witnessed their commanding officer torture British prisoners of war, reported their leader for his actions. What began as a trickle in the late 1970s in the United States became a global flood by the mid-2010s. The Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) (5 U. (A) In general. Learn More. When a whistleblower comes forward, it is almost certain that those responsible for defrauding the government will try to retaliate OSHA will ask the Respondent to provide a written defense to the allegations, also known as a position statement. www. 101-12 as amended, is a United States federal law that protects federal whistleblowers who work for the government and report the possible existence of an activity constituting a violation of law, rules, or regulations, or mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority or a substantial and specific danger to The False Claims Act (FCA) is America's first whistleblower law and one of the strongest whistleblower laws in the United States. Each Nov 24, 2021 · For each law, the popular name of the Act with a whistleblower or employee protection provision is provided. The WPA prohibits retaliation against federal employees, former federal employees, and applicants for employment who lawfully disclose information they reasonably believe The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1778 was an Act of Congress passed by the Second Continental Congress and signed into law by President of the Continental Congress Henry Laurens in 1778. COVID-19. — The term “whistleblower” means any individual who provides, or 2 or more individuals acting jointly who provide, information relating to a violation of this subchapter, chapter 35 or section 4305 or Jan 4, 2021 · Early on, whistleblowers in China warned of the dangers of the virus before facing retaliation from government officials. A full list of the prohibited personnel practices is available at the bottom of this page under “Other Resources. As a result of a comparison study between India and the United States protection statutes for whistle-blowers, it is evident that US laws are more effective than Indian laws. Whistleblowers play a critical role in keeping our Government honest, efficient, and accountable. The act was created as a result of Mar 9, 2018 · Section 2302(b)(8) of Title 5, United States Code, as amended by the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 (governing disclosures of illegality, waste, fraud, abuse or public health or safety threats); Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982 (50 U. The United States Code or public law citation for the provision and an excerpt of the text of the provision is included. Commodities Fraud. Reverse False Claims. No one should ever be subject to or threatened with reprisal for coming forward with information regarding wrongdoing involving U. Our analysis indicates that, in these states, a higher awareness of whistleblower laws is associated A REVIEW OF THE STATE OF WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION AND DEFAMATION LAWS IN KENYA POCAMLA Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act SADC Southern African Development Community SADES-K Safeguarding Democratic Space in Kenya TI-KENYA Transparency International Kenya UNCAC United Nations Convention Against Corruption Jan 19, 2024 · Section 2302(b)(8) of title 5, United States Code, as amended by the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 (governing disclosures of illegality, waste, fraud, abuse, or public health or safety threats) Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982 (50 U. The Department of Labor adjudicates many, but not all, whistleblower disputes. ” Whistleblower advocates view de novo Feb 14, 2024 · The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 is federal legislation that protects whistleblowers who are or were employed by the government and who report a federal employee responsible for illegal Mar 25, 2017 · Whistleblower protection laws are now becoming popular globally as about 30 countries have enacted national laws on whistleblowing. How do I file a whistleblower retaliation complaint with the Postal Service OIG? The preferred method for filing a complaint with our office is to use our online complaint form . Whistleblower, or employee protection, complaints in cases adjudicated by the Department of Labor are initially filed with OSHA a law that protects federal government employees in the United States from retaliatory action for voluntarily disclosing information about dishonest or illegal activities occurring at a government organization. The statutes enforced by OSHA are listed in the Summary Chart linked here. Whistleblower investigations vary in length Section 1034 of Title 10, United States Code as amended by the Military Whistleblower Protection Act (governing disclosure to Congress by members of the military); Section 2302(b)(8) of Title 5, United States Code, as amended by the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 and the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 (governing In 2003, the crucial role of whistleblowers, and the need for whistleblower protection, was recognized as a part of international law when the United Nations adopted the Convention Against Corruption. The Employment Law Guide is offered as a public resource. , Suite 218. In 2019, the European Union passed a landmark whistleblower protection directive requiring all Member States to introduce best practice laws in the coming years. Whistleblower disclosures can save lives as well as billions of taxpayer dollars. —. ” Whistleblowing means disclosing information that you reasonably believe is evidence of: a violation of any law, rule or Nov 22, 2023 · The United States has dozens of laws protecting whistleblowers at state and local level, varying considerably by industry and region. : 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742); TTY: 1-877-889-5627. False Claims Act / Qui Tam. NWC strongly urges every whistleblower to obtain information about their rights and how to protect themselves - before blowing the whistle. osc. 1777 – Samuel Shaw and Richard Marven. K. Learn about the various international, federal, and state whistleblower protection laws available to US and non-US citizens. This report, originally published in the OECD study on The Detection of Foreign Bribery, looks at the key role that whistleblowers and whistleblower protection can play in the detection of foreign bribery when legal frameworks and appropriate channels whistleblower procedures are now an entrenched part of commercial life andtheir effective implem entation is expected by regulators. If the whistleblower protection provision was amended after original enactment, the date of those changes is noted. gov. seq. Code Section. This Convention was signed by 140 nations and formally ratified, accepted, approved, or acceded by 137 nations, including the United States. ) (governing disclosures that could expose confidential Government agents); In General. Other things to know about submitting a whistleblower report: All of our investigations are confidential. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in recent years has taken an aggressive stance against employers over employment agreements that the agency believes impede its whistleblower program—as highlighted by a $10 million fine in 2023 imposed on an investment firm over its inclusion of nondisclosure and confidentiality provisions. Telephone: 202-254-3640 or 800-572-2249. § 1034), “Protected communications; prohibition of retaliatory personnel actions,” ensures that DIA civilian, contractor, or assigned active duty service employees can report such complaints while protecting classified May 13, 2020 · Whistleblower protection laws were enacted to encourage people to report illegal behavior, especially that which affects the government. It can be a difficult decision to. ) (governing disclosures that could expose confidential Government agents); FY 2021 featured the largest number of whistleblower tips received in a fiscal year since the program’s inception. Employee Notifications pursuant to Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012As required by the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012, Pub. 421, et. Whistleblower Protection. The CFTC’s whistleblower program – which was created by the Dodd-Frank Act – allows for the payment of monetary awards to eligible whistleblowers, and provides anti-retaliation protections for whistleblowers who share information with or assist the CFTC. It also includes the United States Code or public law An effective whistleblower protection and anti-retaliation system requires senior leadership commitment and accountability, and making anti-retaliation and prevention a proactive rather than a defensive aspect of the organization. They contain whistleblower (anti-retaliation) provisions that generally provide that employers may not discharge or retaliate against an employee because the employee has filed a complaint or otherwise exercised other rights provided to employees under the statute. In FY 2021, the Commission received over 12,200 whistleblower tips—an approximate 76% increase from FY 2020, the second highest tip year, and a more than 300% increase since the beginning of the program. The WPEA also requires that any non-disclosure policy, form, or agreement (NDA) include the statement below or it may Data and Statistics. The objective of this audit was to determine whether DoD contracting officials included the required whistleblower clauses in contracts and ensured that DoD contractors were compliant with the requirement to inform employees in writing of their whistleblower rights and protections. The U. serving as an independent contractor) or employed in any capacity on board a U. As a general rule, the Commission treats information learned during the course of an investigation, including the identity of sources, as non-public and confidential. S. The law strengthens the protections for federal employees who disclose evidence of waste, fraud, or abuse. On November 15, 2022, the SEC's Office of the Whistleblower (OWB) released its annual report to Congress covering the period from October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022. 20th & C Streets, NW. OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program enforces the provisions of more than 20 federal laws protecting employees from retaliation for, among other things, raising or reporting concerns about hazards or violations of various workplace safety and health, aviation safety, commercial motor carrier Dec 1, 2015 · The development of whistleblower laws in the United States as a tool to combat corruption has influenced the adoption of similar laws across Europe. True. Apr 27, 2023 · The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) established its whistleblower protection program under Dodd-Frank to award qualified whistleblowers for their tips that lead to a successful SEC sanction. 45-1-4. However, OIG cannot promise complete anonymity. Learn about the laws and agencies that protect you from retaliation for reporting violations or issues related to various topics, such as safety, health, discrimination, or fraud. 1735 North Lynn Street. Jul 26, 2019 · Contact Whistleblower Attorneys at Goldberg Kohn These cases above are just a few of the many examples of how individuals have become whistleblowers in some of the best-known government, business and health care cases in the history of the United States. Cynicism has a greater chilling effect than retaliation. Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, which explicitly recognized the legitimacy of whistleblowing by federal government employees, very few states offered any kind of statutory protection for whistleblowers. As per the above analysis, it is apparent that whistle-blower protection plays a major role in strengthening the organisation. ) (governing disclosures that could expose confidential Government agents) The role of whistleblowers and whistleblower protection in the detection of foreign bribery. The report examines the institution’s failure to Dec 14, 2022 · Authors. In recent years, the False Claims Act has been applied in a new way: to instances in which a wrongdoer has prevented the government from collecting what it is owed. W. Oct 31, 2023 · The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989, 5 U. ”. Find out how to file a complaint and contact the relevant authorities. Whistleblowers perform an important service by reporting what they reasonably believe to be evidence of waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement. Unfortunately, many who become whistleblowers experience retaliation in the form of demotion, dismissal, and other negative treatment. Stock Exchange were made subject to rules allowing rewards for anonymous disclosures and prohibiting whistleblower retaliation under the Dodd Frank Act. Dec 1, 2017 · Abstract. 101-12 as amended, is a United States federal law that protects federal whistleblowers who work for the government and report the possible existence of an activity constituting a violation of law, rules, or regulations, or mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of Dec 19, 2023 · The adoption of the whistleblower resolution at the 10 th CoSP marks a pivotal advancement in global efforts to safeguard reporting persons, renewing international commitments and cooperation on their protection, encouraging training, technical assistance, inclusion of civil society, transparency, and reporting channels that are confidential Section 2302(b)(8) of Title 5, United States Code, as amended by the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 (governing disclosures of illegality, waste, fraud, abuse or public health or safety threats) Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982 (50 U. -flag vessel or any other vessel owned by a “citizen of the United States” as defined in the SPA regulations at 29 CFR Part 1986. Find OSHA's COVID-19 resources to help you stay safe and healthy, and find COVID-19 whistleblower data. No action may be taken or threatened by any public employer with authority to take, direct others to take, recommend or approve as a reprisal for making a complaint or disclosing information to the public Jul 31, 2019 · 07/31/19. T/F: Payouts are available for some Whistleblowers. If the whistleblower protection provision was amended after the original enactment, the date of the change is noted. Content analysis is supplemented with online survey and interview data. Federal Reserve Board. C. Apr 16, 2024 · The federal government then passed the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989. The WPA also provides penalties for supervisors who retaliate against whistleblowers. "Between 2017 and 2019, the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) received 234 whistleblowing complaints. One way the law did this was by clarifying the procedure by which employees could report No. The purpose of the Act was to strengthen and improve protection for the rights of federal employees, to prevent reprisals, and to help eliminate wrongdoing within the government. ’s Financial Conduct Authority has increased its resources devoted May 18, 2024 · To leverage the power of whistleblowers and strengthen oversight, consider these key features for your company's whistleblower program: Multiple Reporting Channels: Provide various avenues for employees to report concerns, including hotlines, online reporting systems, and designated individuals within the company. Almost every state offers some sort of whistleblower protection, and the volume of federal protection laws continues to grow. Jan 29, 2019 · See Executive Orders 12958 and 13526; Section 7211 of Title 5, United States code (governing disclosures to Congress); Section 1034 of Title 10, United States code, as amended by the Military Whistleblower Protection Act (governing disclosure to Congress by members of the military); Section 2302(b) (8) of Title 5, United States Code, as amended Mar 1, 2021 · A respected whistleblower law firm, CPM protects those retaliated against for raising legal concerns, and has recovered hundreds of millions and rewards for clients. It was the first piece of legislation concerning whistleblower protection in the United States passed by Congress. Jun 19, 2018 · State courts were the first body of government to step up and start protecting whistleblowers. Yet, taking such actions often poses considerable risks to the individual. Code, Federal Register, and Code of Federal Regulations as the official sources of applicable law. No. There are 14 prohibited personnel practices, including reprisal for whistleblowing, which are identified in law at 5 United States Code, Section 2302(b). T/F: Whistleblowing reduces corruption and brings information to light. We use data from the United States to assess whether whistleblower laws that protect private employees from retaliation have an impact on corporate fraud. 1730 M Street, N. Cryptocurrency Frauds. Resources; Data; Data and Statistics; Desk Aids; MSHA - Miners Q: What types of whistleblower complaints does OSHA investigate? A: OSHA enforces more than 20 whistleblower laws protecting employees from retaliation for reporting violations of various workplace safety and health, airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, environmental, financial reform, food safety, health insurance reform, motor vehicle safety, nuclear, pipeline, public The Commission is committed to protecting whistleblowers' identities. xm iu cj wa ia bx bc fg qg rv