But theres another aspect to the concept.
It involves the ousting of damaging, relevant information related to large corporations or individuals in the business world.
As a more recent example, theFacebook and Cambridge Analytica debaclecomes to mind.
As a result of a whistleblower, we now know theyre providing it to third-party companieswhich is not right.
The more important question, however, is how important are these people?
How has tech facilitated and led to the emergence of such instances?
Why is it important, and how do these cases help us as a community?
40% off TNW Conference!
To understand the complexity behind whistleblowers and their actions, we must start with the basics.
Harassment in any form is also prohibited by law, though this law is not always honored.
How are they different from saboteurs and traitors?
In this way, whistleblowers and leakers are synonymous.
Both types release information to various channels with the intent to make it public.
If the information at hand is classified, then it must be passed on through secure, designated channels.
If a whistleblower does not follow this process, theyre no different than a leaker.
Now, this is where things get even more complicated.
A leaker can be a whistleblower, but they could also be a saboteur or traitor.
It depends on the information released, as well as the methods and intentions for doing so.
Generally speaking, a saboteur has the intent to either cause harm or damage the reputation of parties involved.
Some evencall Snowden a traitor.
When are whistleblowers necessary?
They also work to keep larger-than-life parties honest.
A great example is how one whistleblower, Anthony Pomplianohas accused Snapchatof doctoring their metrics.
Whats happening with Tesla, SolarCity, and company?
In late 2016, Tesla officiallyacquired SolarCity for $2.6 billion.
SolarCity was a budding solar technology provider.
For some time, everything appeared to be going well that is, until whistleblowers spoke up.
Threeformer employees are now suing SolarCityand the parent company Tesla for rampant misbehavior.
More importantly, theyallege severe mistreatment, including prolonged harassment, lack of overtime pay and intense discrimination.
The automaker Tesla is also experiencinganother whistleblower scandalthanks to Martin Tripps revelations.
Allegedly, the company reused damaged battery cells in their vehicles, which were then sold to customers.
Why the proliferation of whistleblowers in recent times?
It seems fairly common to see leakers and whistleblowers exposing wrongdoings these days.
The question is, why now?
Realistically, its because people are more aware today than theyve ever been.
Theres a rising need for transparency in the face of corruption.
You could argue that its driven primarily by the open internet and hyperactive social communities.
These topics and events are more public thanks to social sharing and online discussions.
Not to mention, people are more tuned in to whats happening in the world around them.
Whistleblowers now have a proper,open channel for sharingtheir experiences.
Ethics or morals?
The dilemmas plaguing a modern whistleblower
Is it right or wrong?
Should these people be bringing such transgressions to light, or should the handling remain private and confidential?
This is where personal bias comes into play.
Not that harassment, discrimination and similar treatments shouldnt be exposed.
Its more that some feel the conflict should be dealt with privately as opposed to in the open.
This debate relates to the differencebetween ethics and morals.
Medical ethics, for instance, relate to doctors and health professionals morals in regard to how they operate.
Whistleblowers may have an ethical obligation to keep confidential information to themselves and away from the public.
However, they may have a moral responsibility to protect public health and safety.
Its incredibly complex, especially with some of the situations that have cropped up in recent times.
Instead, its about whats best for those affected.
Such an issue should outweigh the reputation of the business though it doesnt always happen that way.
Of course, this definition is an incredibly basic one, but it provides the gist of the concept.
We need whistleblowers or leakers to hold organizations, governing bodies and even influential individuals accountable for their actions.
