A journalist can write a message in a Word document, send it to someone and receive evidence that the recipient has opened the file. A free platform called Canarytokens can provide this kind of alert. When could this be useful to a journalist?

At some point in their career, a journalist may investigate a minister, an MP, a police officer or another public figure. They may believe that the person has failed in their duties or broken the law. After gathering evidence to support an investigation, the journalist should normally contact the person concerned and give them a chance to respond. This is an important part of fair journalism. It allows the person facing the allegations to give their version of events. There is another reason for doing this. Suppose the person later takes the journalist to court for defamation. The journalist may then be able to show the judge that they gave that person an opportunity to respond before publication.

The journalist could contact them by sending a Word document attached to an email. Canarytokens allows you to create a special Word document. When someone opens it, the service can send an alert to an email address you have chosen. Go to the Canarytokens website.

– Look for the option: GET AN ALERT WHEN AN ATTACKER OPENS YOUR MICROSOFT WORD DOCUMENT.

– Enter the email address where you want to receive the alert. Then add a note in the field marked: REMIND ME OF THIS WHEN THE ALERT FIRES. This note will help you remember which document triggered the notification.

– Now click the green CANARYTOKEN button. The platform will generate a Word document. Open the document and delete the text inserted by Canarytokens. Replace it with the message you want to send to the person you are contacting. Send the Word document as an email attachment. If the recipient opens the document and the Canarytoken is triggered, you should receive an alert at the email address you gave the service.

Before using this technique, ask an experienced lawyer or your publisher’s legal department whether it is lawful in your country. Privacy, data protection and surveillance laws differ between jurisdictions. A journalist should check the legal position before using this method in a real investigation.

(R.F.)

(AI generated)