Help expose tech industry secrecy: Business Insider is accepting tech NDAs for an upcoming story
Business Insider senior tech features team correspondent Matt Drange, who is based in San Francisco, posted an official notice and mini-article on BI's web site yesterday indicating that he's now accepting copies of tech industry NDAs (non-disclosure agreements), on a confidential basis, as part of an effort to cast some light on the predatory use of NDAs within the industry.
From the announcement article:
In an effort to pierce through how and why nondisclosure agreements have become such a bedrock of Silicon Valley culture, Insider is collecting copies of NDAs from workers. And we're doing it during Sunshine Week, a national collective effort to improve government transparency and combat excessive secrecy, spearheaded by the News Leaders Association and adopted by dozens of open-government groups.
... Insider's default handling of your agreement will be to keep your identity confidential. In other words, unless you give us your consent, your name will not appear in connection with this project...
I often hear from sources who are unsure what they can and cannot say as a result of their NDAs, sometimes years after they've left a prior job. In many cases, these agreements have the practical effect of silencing employees trying to blow the whistle about sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation and other forms of workplace discrimination...
In recent years the practice of using these agreements has come under scrutiny, in large part because of the increased attention and awareness surrounding workplace harassment and misconduct brought about by the #MeToo movement. And yet, discussions among rank-and-file tech employees about NDAs largely take place in the shadows...
With your help, I'll be able to provide insight and common knowledge across an often-opaque industry…
The full article provides multiple methods for you to communicate with the reporter for the article, including traditional email, three different encrypted apps, or that old standby, the manilla envelope mailed directly to Business Insider's San Francisco offices via USPS.
Note that in the U.S., speaking to reporters about the terms and conditions of your employment, such as any NDA to which you've been handcuffed, is protected activity under the National Labor Relations Act. If you'd like to check out Matt Drange's bio before you reach out, that's available at www.businessinsider.com/author/matt-drange
- Bruce
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