The Independent Authority for Whistleblower Protection has issued a clear warning: Spanish law does not meet European directive standards. It points out that current protection only covers those who report to this body, leaving out those who go to the Public Prosecutor's Office, courts, or police. Furthermore, it criticizes the maximum two-year protection period and the loss of protection if the complaint is rejected. The agency received 174 reports in its first four months and only protected 17 people.
Blockchain and anonymity: the technology that could shield the whistleblower 🔗
The implementation of decentralized systems such as blockchain could solve technical shortcomings of the law. An immutable and encrypted record of complaints would allow the person to report without exposing their identity, even if the case goes to the police or courts. The European directive requires secure and confidential channels, something that current technology can guarantee without arbitrary protection deadlines. Spain should integrate these solutions to prevent an administrative rejection from erasing the whistleblower's evidentiary history.
Two years of protection: the temporary patch that Brussels did not ask for ⏳
The law grants two years of protection to the whistleblower, as if corruption had an expiration date. If the case drags on, the whistleblower is left alone; if the complaint is rejected, they lose the umbrella. With 174 alerts and only 17 protected, it seems more like a game of musical chairs where the brave are left standing. The European directive does not set a date, but Spain has decided that civic courage has an expiration date.