Whistleblower Examples: A List of the Centuries Top 10

A whistleblower is an individual who, either inside or outside of a company or government agency, exposes information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical, or not correct within the organization that is either private or public.

Whistleblowers come in many forms: they can be employees, suppliers, contractors, clients, or any individual who somehow gains knowledge of illegal activities. Some of the most significant whistleblowers remain anonymous, safeguarding their identity while shining a light on critical issues. Their actions often require immense courage and can lead to significant societal change.

In this article, we provide you with a list of famous whistleblower examples, and their couragous act of exposing fraud, misconduct, or corruption.

In 2021, Frances Haugen, a former Facebook product manager, courageously disclosed thousands of internal documents to The Wall Street Journal. These documents revealed how Facebook’s algorithms could foster misinformation and harm. Haugen testified before Congress, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in social media operations. While Facebook defended its practices, Haugen’s revelations sparked a global debate about the role of social media in society and its impact on public discourse and mental health, especially among young users.

Edward Snowden, a former contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA), made headlines in 2013 when he leaked top-secret information about the NSA’s global surveillance programs. These revelations included the mass collection of phone and internet data. Snowden’s actions led to a worldwide discussion about privacy, surveillance, and government secrecy. Faced with espionage charges in the United States, Snowden sought asylum in Russia. His disclosures led to calls for reform and greater oversight of surveillance activities by the U.S. government.

Chelsea Manning, an intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army, disclosed a vast array of classified documents to WikiLeaks in 2010. This included the Baghdad airstrike video, known as “Collateral Murder,” showing U.S. forces killing a dozen people in Iraq. Manning’s actions were intended to expose the nature of warfare and diplomatic dealings. She was convicted under the Espionage Act and sentenced to 35 years in prison, although her sentence was later commuted by President Barack Obama after serving seven years. Manning’s disclosures raised significant questions about government transparency and the ethical implications of military operations.

In 2007, our client Bradley Birkenfeld, a former employee at UBS, the largest bank in Switzerland, made a groundbreaking revelation about tax evasion practices. He exposed how UBS assisted wealthy Americans in evading taxes through offshore accounts and shell companies. This disclosure significantly impacted Swiss banking secrecy and international tax laws.

Despite his role in unveiling these practices, Birkenfeld faced legal consequences for his participation in the schemes prior to becoming a whistleblower. In a controversial twist, he was sentenced to 40 months in prison in 2009, highlighting complex issues regarding the treatment of whistleblowers. His imprisonment sparked debate over the balance between exposing wrongdoing and penalizing those involved.

The aftermath of Birkenfeld’s whistleblowing was significant. UBS was fined $780 million and agreed to release over 4,500 client names to U.S. authorities, leading to a substantial recovery of evaded taxes. His actions also influenced reforms in global banking practices and the strengthening of whistleblower protection laws, demonstrating the profound impact and complexity of whistleblowing in the financial sector.

In 2002, Coleen Rowley, an FBI agent, came forward to detail the FBI’s failure to investigate leads that might have prevented the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Her detailed memo to the FBI Director exposed significant bureaucratic hurdles and intelligence failures. Rowley faced no direct retaliation but reported being shunned by colleagues. Her whistleblowing led to congressional inquiries and significant changes in U.S. intelligence operations.

Sherron Watkins, a vice president at Enron, warned CEO Ken Lay about accounting irregularities in 2001, exposing one of the largest corporate frauds in history. Her actions brought the dubious accounting practices of Enron to light, leading to the company’s bankruptcy. Watkins faced ostracism within the company and the broader business community. The Enron scandal resulted in significant legal reforms, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, aimed at improving corporate governance and accountability.

In 1996, Jeffrey Wigand, a former executive at Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation, exposed the company’s practice of intentionally increasing the addictive nature of cigarettes. His revelations, featured on the television program “60 Minutes,” faced initial resistance due to legal threats from the tobacco company. Wigand endured harassment and death threats. His testimony was a catalyst for major changes in tobacco industry regulations and led to multibillion-dollar settlements with affected states.

Karen Silkwood, an employee at the Kerr-McGee plutonium plant, raised concerns in 1974 about health and safety violations, particularly regarding the handling and contamination of plutonium. She gathered evidence intending to go public but died in a mysterious car crash under suspicious circumstances. Silkwood’s case resulted in a significant legal battle, with her estate winning a precedent-setting lawsuit against Kerr-McGee, bringing attention to nuclear safety and worker protection.

Mark Felt was the secret informant who provided crucial information to The Washington Post about the Watergate scandal in the early 1970s. As the FBI’s Deputy Director, Felt helped uncover the Nixon administration’s involvement in the Watergate break-in and subsequent cover-up. His identity remained a secret for over 30 years. Felt’s revelations led to President Nixon’s resignation and ushered in an era of greater journalistic investigation and government transparency.

In 1971, Daniel Ellsberg, a former military analyst, released the Pentagon Papers, classified documents detailing the United States’ political and military involvement in Vietnam. The New York Times and other newspapers published these papers, significantly changing public perception of the Vietnam War. Ellsberg faced charges under the Espionage Act, but they were dismissed due to governmental misconduct and illegal evidence gathering. His actions set a precedent for the right of the press to publish classified information in matters of public interest.

Each of these whistleblowers demonstrated immense bravery in exposing truths that were hidden from the public, often facing personal and professional risks. Their actions have led to significant legal, social, and political changes, highlighting the crucial role of whistleblowers in promoting transparency and accountability.