Use the PGP-encrypted email address listed on this page. I do not check messages frequently on this address, as mentioned.
For highest possible security
I do not have security setup sufficient for this. In particular, if you have leaked information you wish to publish, then either submit it to a server listed on the official SecureDrop server directory, or redact and publish it yourself to ethereum blobdata or similar.
Security tips for you
I recommend creating an anonymous throwaway email just for this chat. Protonmail lets you register anonymous address using cryptocurrency.
I recommended using PGP encryption.
By default, I will assume anything sent to me on this address can be shared with no one. I will ask explicit permission before sharing anything.
A full security guide for you is out of the scope of this post.
Frequency of checking emails: Last checked 2026-09-25. I will check my emails atleast once in three months.
Warrant canary: Last updated 2026-09-25. I have not received any demands involving access to samuelshadrach.com, the PGP key listed on samuelshadrach.com or the PGP-encrypted protonmail address listed on samuelshadrach.com, either made via legal means or made via credible threats of significant harm. I will update this paragraph atleast once in three months.
Proof of date: Ethereum block height 26054145, block hash 0xb8fcb9eb649aaca655108057ac2528fd789627cbae2a0c7f32d768444e841106. This proves this document was edited at date equal to or later than 2026-09-25
Security practices I follow
Security, digital
Dedicated PC for this purpose.
Inbox and keys accessed on TAILS only.
128-bit memorised seedphrase (never used outside of tails) + 128-bit seedphrase in secure physical location (never used outside of tails) + PGP privkey (has left tails). All 3 pieces of info required to decrypt.
All emails are deleted within 1 month of being read.
Security, physical
This inbox is only operated from secure physical location. Seedphrase (mentioned above) stored in secure physical location.
I do not live 24x7 in a secure physical location. I visit secure location to operate the inbox.
My physical location is not secret. There exist people (including people I don't trust) who know where I live.
Security, social circle / psychological
Operating solo. No dedicated team
Only operating part-time not full-time
No social isolation practised
Keeping secrets solo may be psychologically unsafe
Sober since 2026-02
I blog about my life, which could leave clues about me or my social circle.
Legal
Do not have significant legal budget
Likely to cooperate with law enforcement in India in case of investigation. Discretion used on case by case basis.
Server host
Proton may be preserving email content and metadata (timestamps, file sizes, email addresses used, browser fingerprints, etc)
Proton has previously cooperated with law enforcement in investigations
Proton has never encountered a significant breach of data or passwords, as of 2025-06
Why do I maintain a PGP-encrypted email address that I only check once in 3 months?
You are welcome to contact me on this address for any purpose whatsoever.
The primary reason I decided to maintain this email address is for a worst-case scenario where you have some leaked information or documents that you wish to publish, but are unable to work with a journalist operating SecureDrop. For example, this could happen if the US govt became more authoritarian and prevented journalists living on US soil from publishing your leak. Since I live in India, it may hence be easier for me to redact and publish your leak.
As of 2026-09, this is a highly unlikely scenario. In most scenarios, you should not be working with me. You can either submit your leak to a SecurDrop server, or redact and publish the leak yourself. Journalists operating Securedrop typically have a bigger legal budget than I do, they have more previous experience doing redaction than I do, and they may have some political immunity provided by the people funding their media house.
If however, we end up in a worst case scenario where you are relying on me to redact and publish your leak, then I will probably do my best to actually upgrade my security practises. My current security level as of 2026-08 is only Medium, but there are steps I can take to bring it closer to High, if it were absolutely necessary.
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