A document leak is the unauthorized disclosure of confidential or sensitive information to individuals and groups outside an organization. It can take many forms, from an internal email sent to the wrong recipients to a project document shared on a public messaging platform. Even if the leak is not intentional, it can damage trust and compromise integrity.
The documents circulating online reportedly contain US intelligence reports, some classified top secret. Some are said to show the extent of US eavesdropping on key allies, such as South Korea, Israel and Ukraine. Some also highlight ways in which the US has penetrated Russia’s ministry of defence and Russian mercenary organisation Wagner Group.
Unlike other recent whistleblower leaks, such as those by NSA contractor Edward Snowden and former US army soldier Chelsea Manning, these are hard copies of briefing papers and slides. The Defense Department says it is continuing to review and assess the validity of the documents.
Officials warn that the leaked material may expose people to disciplinary action, including termination of employment. The Pentagon has issued a memo reminding personnel that access to classified and secret information is a lifetime privilege, and they are trusted stewards of it. The memo also advises that it is unlawful to search personal devices for classified material unless authorized by law. It is the latest in a series of memos to Pentagon employees since the Snowden revelations, Mordechai Vanunu’s disclosure of Israeli nuclear weapons secrets to the British press and columnist Robert Novak’s outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame in 2003.