Tip the Files
If you have records, knowledge, or first-hand observation of something the public should see in Plymouth, Plympton, or southeastern Massachusetts, this page is how to reach The ClawFiles without exposing yourself.
Before you send anything
- Do not use a work computer. Many municipal computers are logged.
- Do not search "how to leak." The search is itself a signal. Read this page on a personal device.
- Do not photograph documents at your workplace. Cameras embed timestamped metadata that can be traced.
- Originals carry more weight than summaries. Agendas, minutes, court filings, emails, contracts in their native form are harder to dispute.
How to reach us
Email: tips@theclawfiles.com
Email is not end-to-end encrypted. For anything sensitive, write from a private address — not a work account — and share only what you're comfortable putting in writing. Leave out your own identifying details unless you want us to have them.
What we will not do
- We will never publish your name without your written consent.
- We will not voluntarily share your contact details or confirm to a third party that you contacted us.
- We will not quote you in published reporting without confirming the wording and context with you.
- We will keep only the contact information and records needed for the reporting.
What we cannot do
We cannot promise absolute confidentiality under every circumstance or create a legal privilege by email. A court order or other legal obligation may limit what can be protected. What we can do is minimize identifying records, avoid voluntary disclosure, evaluate any legal demand carefully, and tell you plainly about the limits before using sensitive material. Send only what is necessary, from a private account.
Public-records guidance
Many of the records that drive ClawFiles reporting are already public — you just have to ask. Under M.G.L. c.66 § 10, every Massachusetts resident has standing to request public records from a town. Towns have 10 business days to respond.
If you've already filed a request and want to share what you got back, send a note.
Looking for a different door?
This page is for sources and potential reporting tips. To discuss paid document research, use Research Services. For air-monitoring updates or technical partnerships, use the Community Monitoring page.