Bribes.fyi crowdsourcing platform pauses after viral surge, seeks legal and financial help
The citizen-run site Bribes.fyi, which let users anonymously log alleged bribe requests, has temporarily shut down following a massive influx of traffic and is now looking for legal and accounting assistance.
Aryan Nishad launched Bribes.fyi to let Indians anonymously share experiences of being asked for bribes at public offices, intending only to compile anecdotal data. The platform exploded, capturing more than 5 million requests and adding roughly 200,000 new users in a 48-hour period, which led to extensive coverage in the press. Facing an unexpected scale, the team paused further reporting and announced a temporary shutdown to develop stronger legal and financial foundations.
In a LinkedIn post, team member Manish Sahani highlighted the new responsibility of managing a site used for sensitive allegations. The project has solicited pro-bono legal, compliance, privacy, and accounting expertise, while commenters warned of potential fake submissions, organized political attacks, and the challenges of turning anonymous tips into verifiable evidence. Before closing, the database listed 617 reports from 253 cities, with police-related entries forming the largest share.
Why it matters
The pause highlights the challenges of scaling citizen-led anti-corruption tools while ensuring legal safety and data integrity.
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