When you blow the whistle on wrongdoing, confidentiality allows you to report concerns without becoming the center of public attention. Modern whistleblower laws prioritize confidentiality to encourage individuals to report freely, safeguarding them from retaliation. This approach protects your career, finances, and well-being while increasing the likelihood of a successful investigation. By reporting confidentially, you empower government regulators to take the lead in investigating and addressing the issue. 

Cases recognizing the need for whistleblowers to remain confidential: 

• Management Information Technologies v. Alyeska Pipeline, 151 F.R.D. 478 (D.D.C. 1993) (hardships faced by whistleblowers whose identities are revealed). 
• Whistleblower 14106-10W v. Commissioner, 137 Tax Court No. 15 (2011) (standard for proceeding anonymously in Tax Court). 
• Montgomery v. IRS, Case No. 21-5168 (D.C. Cir. Jul. 19, 2022) (case finding that IRS not required to disclose any information about a tax whistleblower case under the Freedom of Information Act).