What is witness protection?
Definition
Witness protection is a government program that protects witnesses whose lives are in danger because they testified against serious criminals. In the US, participants and their families typically get new identities and help with living costs.
- Category
- Identity
- Also called
- witness security program, witness protection program, WITSEC
- Last updated
Reviewed by Anthon Wansland
Head of Product & Co-Founder
Serus is a privacy company with paid tools to find and remove your personal data. This page is free and based on official sources.
Sources checked: usmarshals.gov
Last verified against the official page:
In the United States the program is officially called the Witness Security Program, and the U.S. Marshals Service runs it. It was authorized by the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 and amended by the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984. The Marshals Service says it has protected, relocated and given new identities to more than 19,250 witnesses and family members since the program began in 1971.
Who gets in
The program is for government witnesses, and their immediate family, whose lives are in danger because of their testimony against drug traffickers, terrorists, organized crime members and other major criminals. Admission isn't automatic. Each potential witness is vetted by the law enforcement agency that sponsors them, the U.S. Attorney sponsoring them, the Marshals Service, and the Department of Justice's Office of Enforcement Operations, which makes the final call.
What it involves
Witnesses and families typically get new identities with documentation. They may also get funding for basic living expenses and medical care, plus job training and employment help. During pretrial conferences, trial testimony and other court appearances, the Marshals Service provides 24-hour protection.
The Marshals Service states that no participant who followed the program's guidelines has been harmed or killed while under its active protection.
Why it comes up in privacy conversations
Witness protection is the extreme version of something ordinary people also want: a life where the wrong person can't find your name and address. Most people never need a new identity, but anyone who has been threatened or stalked knows how much it matters that records don't lead to their front door.
Witness protection vs. related terms
- Identity theft is someone using your identity without permission. In witness protection, a new identity is issued by the government to keep you safe.
- Doxxing is publishing someone's private details to harass them. Witness protection exists to keep those details out of reach of people who want to harm a witness.
This entry covers the US program. Other countries run their own schemes with their own rules.
How to protect yourself
- 1
Report threats to the police
If you're being threatened because of something you know or did, contact local law enforcement. Witness protection is for government witnesses admitted through law enforcement and prosecutors, so you can't apply for it yourself.
- 2
Keep your address out of public listings
Search your name and address and see where they appear. Our doxxing entry explains how details end up public. Serus finds where your address and phone number are listed and removes them.
- 3
Tighten your social media
Remove your address, workplace and location from profiles and set them to private.
See where your personal data is exposed
Serus finds it on data brokers and people-search sites and removes it.
Frequently asked
Can anyone apply for witness protection?
No. Candidates are put forward by a law enforcement agency and a US Attorney and are vetted by the Marshals Service and the Justice Department, which makes the final decision.
Do witnesses really get a new identity?
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, witnesses and their families typically get new identities with documentation.
Who runs witness protection in the US?
The U.S. Marshals Service runs the Witness Security Program. Final decisions on admission are made by the Department of Justice's Office of Enforcement Operations.
Is witness protection the same in the UK and Australia?
No. Each country has its own scheme and rules. This entry covers the US program only.
Sources
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