CloakRoom
An AI companion for journalists, activists, and lawyers that helps them decide which communications channel, device, and operating mode fits the sensitivity of each conversation, without needing to read a 40-page threat-model guide.
Journalists, activists, and lawyers who handle sensitive sources and need practical, per-conversation privacy guidance
- Sensitivity scoring that prompts 'how risky is this conversation?' and recommends channel, device, and posture per scenario
- Quick-start checklists for common setups (meeting a source abroad, sending legal documents, hosting a sensitive client call)
- Channel directory that explains when to use Signal, Rayfish mesh, Burner, ProtonMail, or in-person, in plain language
- Audit log of past conversations with privacy posture so you can review what protections you used where
Mesh-VPN tools like Rayfish are reaching Hacker News front pages, but the people who most need them often don't know which new privacy gadget fits which conversation; this is the missing decision layer.
Real need is documented (CPJ Digital Safety Kit, RSF safety resources, Access Now 24/7 helpline) but already served by free NGO-produced static guides and tool lists — no clear evidence of unmet paid demand.Digital Safety Kit - Committee to Protect Journalists ↗External resources | RSF Resources for Journalists ↗
Found threat-modeling tools (ThreatModeler, IriusRisk, OWASP) aimed at software developers, and static journalist guides from CPJ/RSF, but no conversational AI advisor that maps a conversation's sensitivity to a channel/device — the specific AI-decision-layer slot looks open.ThreatModeler | Intelligent Threat Modeling Solution ↗Best Privacy Protection Tools for Journalists and Activists (2026) ↗
CPJ, RSF, Access Now, Nothing2Hide and similar orgs deliver equivalent guidance free, funded by grants; many target users are freelancers or under-resourced activists — strong willingness-to-pay evidence is weak and the natural buyers are NGOs/newsrooms, a narrower B2B pool.Access Now - Access Now ↗Digital Security - Canadian Association of Journalists ↗
Press-freedom and human-rights threats are intensifying globally; CPJ and Access Now maintain permanent programs, signaling a durable, growing need rather than a fad.Digital Safety Archives - Committee to Protect Journalists ↗Access Now - Access Now ↗
Core build is an LLM with RAG over existing public guides (CPJ kit, RSF, Access Now) plus a small decision matrix — well within reach of a small team; main cost is ongoing curation as tools evolve.rayfish/rayfish: P2P mesh VPN powered by iroh - GitHub ↗Digital Safety Kit - Committee to Protect Journalists ↗