Skip to main content

Journalist Mode

Protect sensitive sources and materials with secure case management designed for investigative journalists.

What is Journalist Mode?​

Journalist Mode is a specialized feature designed for investigative journalists, reporters, and news organizations who need to:

  • Protect confidential sources and whistleblowers
  • Secure sensitive materials during active investigations
  • Implement dead man's switch for critical stories
  • Organize cases with timeline and evidence tracking
  • Ensure story publication if journalist is compromised

Built for Journalists​

Journalist Mode addresses unique security needs of investigative reporting:

✅ Source Protection: Keep source identities and communications encrypted ✅ Material Security: Store leaked documents, recordings, and evidence safely ✅ Publication Insurance: Automatic release to editors if you're silenced ✅ Case Organization: Track investigations with timelines and materials ✅ Operational Security: Protect yourself and your sources from retaliation

How It Works​

1. Create a Case​

Each investigation becomes a Case with:

  • Case Name: "Panama Papers Leak", "Corruption Investigation 2025"
  • Recipients: Editors, co-reporters, legal team, trusted colleagues
  • Release Policy: Time-based or check-in based dead man's switch
  • Materials: Documents, recordings, notes, source communications

2. Upload Sensitive Materials​

Upload and organize investigation materials:

  • Source Documents: Leaked files, internal documents, emails
  • Recordings: Interviews, phone calls, surveillance footage
  • Notes: Research notes, contact information, lead tracking
  • Evidence: Photos, receipts, transaction records

Encryption: All materials are encrypted at rest and in transit. Only you and your designated recipients can access them.

3. Configure Dead Man's Switch​

Set up automatic release if you're compromised:

Time-Based Release:

If I don't check in for 7 days, release all case materials
to my editor (editor@newsorg.com) and legal counsel (legal@newsorg.com).

Event-Based Release:

If I'm arrested, detained, or unable to check in,
send immediate alert to legal team and release materials after 48 hours.

4. Regular Check-ins​

Prevent accidental release by checking in regularly:

  • Manual Check-in: Click "I'm OK" button in app
  • Automatic Check-in: Triggered when you log in
  • Reminder Notifications: Email/SMS reminders before deadline
  • Grace Period: Extra time before release (configurable)

5. Case Release​

If you miss check-in deadline:

Automatic Actions:

  1. Alert sent to all recipients (immediate)
  2. Grace period begins (24-72 hours configurable)
  3. Final warnings sent to your emergency contacts
  4. Materials released to designated recipients if no response
  5. Publication package delivered (documents + context)

Use Cases​

Whistleblower Protection​

Scenario: Source provides classified documents exposing government corruption.

Setup:

  • Create case: "Government Corruption - Source Alpha"
  • Upload documents provided by source
  • Add recipients: Senior editor, legal counsel, international press contacts
  • Policy: Release if no check-in for 14 days
  • Include: Letter explaining investigation and source protection request

Why: If you're arrested or silenced, story still gets published and source is protected.

Investigation Insurance​

Scenario: Investigating organized crime with credible threats against you.

Setup:

  • Create case: "Organized Crime Investigation 2025"
  • Upload evidence: financial records, recordings, witness statements
  • Add recipients: Editor-in-chief, legal team, trusted colleague at different publication
  • Policy: Release if no check-in for 5 days
  • Include: Comprehensive case summary and next steps for recipients

Why: Your work continues even if you're intimidated, harmed, or forced to stop.

International Reporting​

Scenario: Covering authoritarian regime, risk of detention or deportation.

Setup:

  • Create case: "Election Fraud Evidence - Country X"
  • Upload materials: photos, videos, interview recordings, documents
  • Add recipients: Bureau chief (safe country), international editor, human rights org
  • Policy: Release if no check-in for 3 days (shorter due to high risk)
  • Include: Full story draft ready for immediate publication

Why: If detained, story publishes immediately and international pressure follows.

Collaborative Investigations​

Scenario: Working with multiple reporters across different publications (e.g., ICIJ model).

Setup:

  • Create case: "Paradise Papers - Banking Division"
  • Upload your portion of materials and analysis
  • Add recipients: Co-reporters at other publications, project coordinator
  • Policy: Release if no check-in for 10 days
  • Include: Your analysis, leads to follow, contact information

Why: Investigation continues if any reporter is compromised.

Security Features​

End-to-End Encryption​

All materials encrypted:

  • At Rest: AES-256 encryption on Torvus servers
  • In Transit: TLS 1.3 for all uploads/downloads
  • Zero-Knowledge: Torvus cannot decrypt your materials

Source Anonymity​

Protect source identities:

  • No Metadata: Strip EXIF data from photos/documents automatically
  • Redaction Tools: Built-in tools to redact names, faces, locations
  • Pseudonyms: Refer to sources by code names only
  • Access Logs: Monitor who accesses materials (recipients only)

Secure Sharing​

Controlled access:

  • Recipient Verification: Recipients must verify identity (MFA required)
  • View-Only Options: Prevent recipients from downloading if needed
  • Audit Trail: Track when recipients access materials
  • Expiring Access: Remove recipient access after publication

Emergency Destroy​

Nuclear option:

  • Immediate Deletion: Destroy all case materials instantly
  • No Recovery: Permanent deletion (not just hiding)
  • Verification Required: Multi-factor authentication required
  • Use Case: Source compromised, need to protect them immediately

Best Practices​

Setting Check-in Frequency​

High-Risk Investigations:

  • Check in every 2-3 days
  • Use SMS reminders (more reliable than email in hostile environments)
  • Have trusted colleague who can vouch for your status

Medium-Risk Investigations:

  • Check in every 7-10 days
  • Email reminders sufficient
  • Longer grace period (48-72 hours) to prevent accidental release

Low-Risk Investigations:

  • Check in every 14-30 days
  • Use as long-term insurance policy
  • Focus on protecting work product, not immediate danger

Choosing Recipients​

Essential Recipients:

  • Your Editor: Primary recipient, can publish story
  • Legal Counsel: Can advise on publication and protect sources
  • Trusted Colleague: Can vouch for authenticity and context

Optional Recipients:

  • International Press: For cross-border investigations
  • Human Rights Orgs: For cases with civil rights implications
  • Family/Attorney: Personal safety and legal representation

Avoid:

  • Too many recipients (increases leak risk)
  • Recipients without secure communication methods
  • Recipients who can't act independently

Organizing Materials​

Folder Structure:

📁 Case: Government Corruption Investigation
  📁 Source Materials
    📄 Leaked emails (original files)
    📄 Financial documents
    📄 Meeting recordings
  📁 Analysis
    📄 Timeline of events
    📄 Key players diagram
    📄 Financial flow analysis
  📁 Story Drafts
    📄 Full story (publication-ready)
    📄 Executive summary
    📄 Key quotes and evidence
  📁 Legal
    📄 Legal review notes
    📄 Source protection plan
    📄 Publication strategy
  📄 README.txt (context for recipients)

Writing Context Documents​

Include in every case:

README.txt:

URGENT: If you're receiving this, I have not checked in and may be compromised.

CASE: Government Corruption Investigation - Dept. of Defense Contracts
DATE STARTED: January 15, 2025
LAST UPDATE: March 10, 2025

WHAT THIS IS:
Evidence of $50M in fraudulent DoD contracts involving
Sen. John Smith and contractor XYZ Corp.

KEY EVIDENCE:
- Folder "Financial Documents": Wire transfers linking Smith to XYZ
- File "Recording_2025-02-20.mp3": Smith discussing kickbacks
- File "Witness_Statement_A.pdf": Whistleblower testimony (PROTECT THIS SOURCE)

WHAT TO DO:
1. Contact legal@newsorg.com immediately (lawyer Sarah Jones)
2. Review "Story Draft - FINAL.docx" in Story Drafts folder
3. Verify evidence with independent sources before publication
4. DO NOT contact Sen. Smith's office (tipped off in past)
5. Protect Source A identity at all costs (federal employee, family at risk)

PUBLICATION:
Story is 90% complete. Missing: final comment from DoD (optional).
Can publish as-is if necessary.

CONTACTS:
- Source A: [encrypted contact method in separate doc]
- Backup reporter: Jane Doe (jane@otherpaper.com)
- Legal: Sarah Jones (legal@newsorg.com, +1-555-0100)

TIMELINE:
- Jan 15: Source A makes contact
- Feb 20: Key recording obtained
- Mar 1: Financial analysis complete
- Mar 10: Legal review in progress

If you need more context, contact Jane Doe - she knows the full story.

Stay safe. Publish this.

Journalist Mode vs Regular Vaults​

FeatureRegular VaultJournalist Mode
Use CasePersonal documents, estate planningInvestigative journalism, source protection
OrganizationFolders and tagsCases with timeline and materials
Check-insOptionalRecommended (dead man's switch)
RecipientsFamily, heirsEditors, colleagues, legal team
Release PolicyTypically death verificationTime-based or event-based (immediate)
Security FocusLong-term storageOperational security, source protection
PublicationN/AStory publication packages
Audit TrailBasic logsDetailed access tracking
Emergency DeleteNot availableAvailable (immediate destruction)

Enabling Journalist Mode​

Eligibility​

Available for:

  • Pro plan and above
  • Verified journalists (press credentials required)
  • News organizations (Business/Enterprise plans)

Verification Required:

  • Press credentials or NUJ/SPJ membership
  • Published work portfolio
  • Newsroom email address
  • Editor reference (for freelancers)

Why Verification: Prevents misuse for non-journalism purposes and ensures we can support your use case properly.

Setup Process​

  1. Request Access: Settings → Add-On Features → Enable Journalist Mode
  2. Onboarding: Complete the guided setup wizard to configure your first case
  3. Review: Feature is immediately available after enabling (no verification required)
  4. Create Cases: Navigate to Cases in sidebar to create your first investigation
  5. Configure Security: Set up check-in frequency and release policies

Note: The "Cases" navigation item will appear in the sidebar immediately after enabling Journalist Mode.

Pricing​

Pro Plan: $29/month

  • Up to 5 active cases
  • 50 GB storage per case
  • Unlimited recipients
  • Standard support

Business Plan: $99/month (per user)

  • Unlimited cases
  • 500 GB storage per case
  • Priority support
  • Legal consultation (1 hour/month)

Newsroom Enterprise: Custom pricing

  • Unlimited users and cases
  • Unlimited storage
  • Dedicated account manager
  • 24/7 emergency support
  • Legal team coordination

Technical Details​

Case Structure​

interface JournalistCase {
  id: string;
  name: string;
  description: string;
  status: 'active' | 'published' | 'archived' | 'destroyed';
  created: Date;
  last_updated: Date;

  // Security
  encryption: 'AES-256-GCM';
  access_log: AccessEvent[];

  // Materials
  materials: Material[];
  total_size: number;

  // Dead Man's Switch
  policy: ReleasePolicy;
  last_checkin: Date;
  next_checkin_due: Date;
  grace_period_hours: number;

  // Recipients
  recipients: Recipient[];

  // Timeline
  timeline: TimelineEvent[];
}

Check-in Methods​

Manual Check-in:

  • Click "I'm OK" button in app or email
  • Requires MFA verification
  • Resets check-in timer

Automatic Check-in:

  • Triggered on login to Torvus
  • Requires active session (not just token refresh)
  • Can be disabled if you want manual-only

Delegate Check-in (Enterprise only):

  • Trusted colleague can check in on your behalf
  • Requires: Their MFA + your emergency code
  • Use case: You're in the field, no internet access

Release Process​

Timeline:

Day 0, 00:00: Check-in deadline passes
Day 0, 00:01: First alert sent to recipients ("Journalist may be compromised")
Day 0, 00:01: Alerts sent to your emergency contacts
Day 0, 06:00: Second alert sent (if no check-in)
Day 0, 12:00: Third alert sent (if no check-in)
Day 0, 24:00: Grace period ends (if 24-hour grace configured)
Day 0, 24:01: Case materials released to all recipients
Day 0, 24:01: Publication package delivered

Stopping Release:

  • Check in anytime before grace period ends
  • Requires MFA verification
  • All alerts canceled immediately

FAQ​

Can I use Journalist Mode for non-journalism purposes?​

No. Journalist Mode is designed specifically for investigative journalism and requires press credential verification. For personal use, regular vaults provide similar functionality.

What happens if I accidentally miss a check-in?​

The grace period (24-72 hours configurable) prevents accidental releases. You'll receive multiple urgent alerts via email, SMS, and push notifications before materials are released.

Can recipients access materials before release?​

No. Materials are locked until release conditions are met. Recipients are notified the case exists but cannot access contents until released.

Exception: You can grant early access to specific recipients (e.g., your editor for draft review) while keeping case locked for others.

How do I protect source identities in materials?​

Use built-in redaction tools:

  • Document Redaction: Black out names, locations, identifying info
  • Photo Redaction: Blur faces, remove EXIF metadata
  • Pseudonymization: Replace real names with "Source A", "Witness 1", etc.

Always review materials before upload to ensure no identifying information remains.

Can Torvus access my case materials?​

No. Torvus uses zero-knowledge encryption. We cannot decrypt your materials, see your sources, or read your documents. Only you and your designated recipients can access case contents after release.

Legal Compliance: Even under subpoena, we cannot provide decrypted materials. See Legal for details.

What if I'm forced to reveal my password?​

Use duress code (Enterprise only):

  • Enter special password that appears to log in normally
  • Secretly triggers emergency destroy of specified cases
  • Use case: Detained and forced to unlock device

Can I have multiple cases for different investigations?​

Yes. Pro plan: 5 cases. Business plan: Unlimited cases. Each case has independent recipients, policies, and materials.

How do I close a case after publication?​

Mark case as Published:

  • Materials remain accessible to you and recipients
  • Dead man's switch disabled
  • Can export for archival
  • Optional: Destroy after specified time (e.g., 1 year post-publication)

What if my recipient's account is compromised?​

Security measures:

  • Recipients must verify identity with MFA before accessing released materials
  • Access logs show when recipients accessed materials
  • You can revoke recipient access anytime (before release)
  • Released materials can have expiration dates

Can I test the release process?​

Yes. Use Test Release:

  • Sends mock release alert to recipients
  • Does not actually release materials
  • Verifies recipient contact information works
  • Recommended before starting high-risk investigation

Getting Help​

Journalist Support​

Technical Support: journalist-support@torvussecurity.com Security Consultation: security@torvussecurity.com Legal Questions: legal@torvussecurity.com Emergency Hotline (Enterprise): 1-800-XXX-XXXX (24/7)

Resources​

Last Updated: October 8, 2025