The Stunted Evolution of Whistleblowing Research: A Matter of Artificial Selection

Whistleblowing plays a critical role in exposing misconduct, yet existing research has largely overlooked the human-computer interaction (HCI) challenges inherent in digital whistleblowing systems. While Culiberg and Mihelič's (2017) wheel of whistleblowing framework offers a comprehensive behavioral perspective, it fails to account for the technological design, usability, and trust mechanisms that shape whistleblower decision-making in digital reporting environments. This paper extends the framework by integrating human-centered design principles, anonymity-preserving technologies, and trust-enhancing mechanisms to address key gaps in whistleblowing research. We explore how usability issues, cognitive biases, and system transparency influence a whistleblower’s perception of anonymity and willingness to report. Further, we propose a socio- technical approach to whistleblowing system design, emphasizing privacy-by-design principles, interface usability, and organizational adoption challenges. By bridging insights from HCI, information systems, and behavioral security, we outline a research agenda to guide the development of secure, effective, and user-friendly digital whistleblowing platforms.