Terms of Service

Last Updated: July 28, 2026

Welcome to The Whistleblower Files, a digital publication owned and operated by Uncovered Investigates (“we,” “us,” or “our”). By accessing or subscribing to our publication, website, newsletters, or associated media channels (collectively, the “Service”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”).

If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not access or use the Service.

1. Editorial Independence & Purpose

The Whistleblower Files is an independent journalism publication dedicated to investigative reporting, primary-source document analysis, public records analysis, and whistleblower disclosures. Content published on the Service is intended solely for informational, educational, and public-interest purposes.

2. No Legal, Financial, or Whistleblower Protection Advice

• Informational Content: The materials provided on this Service—including analysis of whistleblower statutes, legal frameworks, and regulatory filings—do not constitute formal legal, financial, or professional advice.

• Submitting Information: Reaching out to us or reviewing our content does not establish an attorney-client, advocate-client, or formal advisory relationship. Potential whistleblowers are strongly encouraged to consult qualified legal counsel regarding specific protections, procedures, and risks under applicable local, state, or federal laws before taking action.

3. Sources and Document Submissions

We are committed to protecting the confidentiality of our sources to the fullest extent permitted by law.

• Submission Channels: While we maintain measures to protect source security, transmitting information over the internet carries inherent risks. Users submitting materials or communications to Uncovered Investigates do so voluntarily and accept these baseline network risks.

• Ownership of Submitted Material: By submitting documents, tips, or records to us, you grant Uncovered Investigates a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to review, edit, redact, quote, archive, and publish those materials in connection with our editorial work.

• Authenticity: We reserve the right to verify, fact-check, or decline to publish any submitted material at our sole editorial discretion.

4. Intellectual Property & Syndication

• Our Content: All articles, investigative reports, original audio/video, graphics, and branding associated with The Whistleblower Files and Uncovered Investigates are the intellectual property of Uncovered Investigates unless otherwise noted.

• Primary Sources & Public Records: Third-party public records, government filings, and legal documents embedded or linked on the Service remain the property or public domain material of their respective originators.

• Fair Use & Citation: Readers and media outlets may quote, cite, or excerpt our original reporting provided that clear attribution is given to The Whistleblower Files / Uncovered Investigates with a direct hyperlink back to the original source publication. Full republication or syndication of entire articles requires prior written consent.

5. Reader Engagement & Comments

We value critical discussion and community engagement, but we maintain strict standards for public comment sections and interactive features:

• Prohibited Conduct: Users may not post content that is unlawful, defamatory, harassing, threatening, invasive of private personal privacy (doxxing), spam, or containing malicious code.

• Moderation: We reserve the right to remove, edit, or disable comments or user accounts that violate these guidelines without prior notice.

6. Third-Party Platforms and Links

The Service is hosted via Substack and may contain links to external websites, secure dropboxes, databases, or third-party tools. Uncovered Investigates is not responsible for the availability, privacy policies, terms, or content of external third-party platforms. Your interactions with third-party platforms are governed by their respective terms and policies.

7. Subscriptions, Paid Contributions, and Refunds

• Free and Paid Access: We may offer free subscriptions as well as voluntary paid tiers or contributions to support our investigative work.

• Billing: Payments and subscriptions are processed securely through Substack and its third-party payment processors (e.g., Stripe).

• Refunds: Subscriptions and recurring contributions are generally non-refundable, but you may cancel your auto-renewal at any time through your Substack account settings.

8. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS. UNCOVERED INVESTIGATES MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, CONCERNING THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, TIMELINESS, OR RELIABILITY OF ANY CONTENT OR DOCUMENTS HOSTED ON THE SERVICE. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

9. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, UNCOVERED INVESTIGATES, ITS FOUNDERS, CONTRIBUTORS, AND AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE, RELIANCE ON PUBLISHED MATERIALS, OR SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION.

10. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to update or modify these Terms of Service at any time. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting the updated Terms on the Service. Your continued use of the Service following the posting of changes constitutes acceptance of those updates.

11. Contact Information

If you have questions regarding these Terms of Service or our editorial policies, please contact us at:

Uncovered Investigates

The Whistleblower Files

Contact details available via our main publication page.