Thread: What are the rules on leaking classified information?

edit that: should not be a crime

Ask wikileak

As far as I know, it's not okay to leak it to the press, but it is okay for the press to refuse to give up their source.


What if a soldier or another official happens upon classified information that they don't know is classified? Are they liable for it as well? Do they have a duty to find out the security clearance of information before discussing it with others? That raises the question of who do they ask, because presumably it's possible that they won't find someone with proper clearance.



Just something I was wondering about. Wanted to see if any of you guys know the answer.

i think I read that they were Australian

If you break the law because you don't know about it, you're still liable for that, so I'd imagine it to be pretty much be the same way here

ok....now suppose a civilian finds classified information, but doesn't know its classified?

The official protocol for revealing unknown classified materials is classified.

then it's not a crime without mens rea


Does the government create a new law or charge them anyway like they have done in the past (created new laws on the spot) then yeah that person might be fucked

How do you mean?

That's what I'm thinking. SC ruled on this during the Vietnam war