What other high‑profile investigations or audio leak publications originated on Substack in 2024–2026?
Executive summary
Substack emerged in 2024–2026 as a recurring platform for breaking investigations and audio leaks: high‑profile uploads included unverified Epstein‑related audio shared from a Substack account, major investigative essays by established journalists published on Substack, and numerous specialist outlets using the platform to surface document leaks and technical analyses [1] [2] [3] [4]. The tenor of reporting on Substack ranged from rigorously sourced investigative projects to raw, unverifiable leaks, creating a mix of consequential scoops and material that required independent authentication [5] [6].
1. Sasha Riley audio: viral tapes published via a Substack account
A set of audio clips purporting to be Sasha Riley describing alleged trafficking between ages nine and thirteen was circulated widely online after being shared from a Substack account, drawing mainstream attention and questions about provenance and authentication; reporting stressed that those recordings remained unverified by courts or law enforcement [1] [2].
2. Established investigative bylines migrating their scoops to Substack
High‑profile reporters used Substack as a direct channel for investigative work, with examples cited in commentary noting that Seymour Hersh published a major Nord Stream allegation on his Substack, illustrating how veteran investigative journalists have turned to the platform to distribute blockbuster claims outside traditional newsrooms [3].
3. Investigative networks and specialist outlets using Substack to unpack leaks
Organizations like the Global Investigative Journalism Network have used Substack to detail methods behind major investigations, and niche cybersecurity and data‑breach analysts published longform pieces on leaked datasets and breach trends on the platform—an approach that blends document access with expert analysis but depends on the underlying material’s veracity [4] [6].
4. Cyber and technical leaks surfaced and analyzed on Substack
Substack became a hub for analysts to dissect technical leaks and indictment material: cybersecurity writers and teams published deep dives on leaked Chinese security company documents and other breach data, framing raw leaks as leads for broader attribution and vulnerability analysis while cautioning about manipulation and verification limits [5] [6].
5. Corporate and product leaks discussed on Substack archives
Independent writers published company roadmaps and internal document analyses—examples include deep dives on leaked gaming plans and internal PDFs hosted on Substack, which offered granular glimpses into corporate strategy but were often contextualized as accidental or unofficial disclosures rather than court‑vetted evidence [7].
6. The strengths and hazards of Substack as a leak platform
The pattern across these items shows Substack functioning as both amplifier and interpreter: it lets named journalists and specialized investigators reach audiences directly [3] [4], while also enabling distribution of unverified audio and document dumps that require external authentication—an ecosystem where rigorous fact‑checking and source disclosure are the dividing line between consequential reporting and rumor [1] [5].
7. What reporting did not establish and why caution matters
Available reporting documents the presence of multiple high‑visibility publications and leaks on Substack but also repeatedly flags verification shortcomings—several cited pieces explicitly note lack of official authentication for leaked audio or that leaked technical material can be manipulated—therefore any claim originating on Substack should be checked against law‑enforcement statements, court filings, or independently obtained documents where possible [1] [5].