Safeguarding personal information is a crucial guarantee for protecting the rights of whistleblowers. Reporting corruption can be done anonymously or by providing personal details while maintaining confidentiality.

There are important distinctions between anonymity and confidentiality that should be considered by anyone wishing to report.

The confidentiality of the whistleblower involves prohibiting the disclosure of information about the whistleblower, their close relatives, or other identifying data. The organization to which the whistleblower reports corruption is obliged to ensure the confidentiality of this information.

Confidential information includes:

last name, first name, patronymic; date and place of birth; place of employment and position; military service location; educational institution/internship; information identifying the whistleblower as an entrepreneur; marital status; residential and work addresses; phone numbers, email addresses, and other personalized contact channels; whistleblower's photo; social media account information, etc.

Disciplinary, administrative, or criminal liability is foreseen for disclosing such information, although it may not be considered a violation in certain cases as provided by the Law on “Prevention of Corruption.”

The right to anonymity allows a person to report corruption without providing any personal details about themselves. Anonymous reports are also accepted. The key distinction is that to obtain whistleblower status, as well as the possibility of further protection and rewards, the individual must disclose information about themselves and provide evidence that they made such an anonymous report. To protect the personal data of the anonymous whistleblower after disclosure, security measures such as ensuring confidentiality of personal information and closed court hearings may be implemented.

Everyone has the right to choose the format of reporting corruption based on their motives, circumstances, and concerns. It is important to consider these distinctions to avoid misunderstandings and unrealistic expectations.