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FBI launches eFOIA System for faster FOIA requests

fbi.gov

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Re: FBI launches eFOIA System for faster FOIA requests

#21

Post by tristanj »

They're trying to spin this as a "good" thing but I believe the reason they're doing this is more selfish: they're trying to stop people from making multiple, slightly different FOIA requests on the same topic and getting back different censored results. On one request, some parts might be censored, but on another that part may be uncensored. By making multiple requests you can open more and more windows on the actual document.

Here is a 2013 article on someone cleverly abusing this tactic [1]. With the new system in place they'll be able to spot and prevent these tactics more easily.

[1] http://motherjones.com/politics/2013/11/foia-ryan-shapiro-fb...

Re: FBI launches eFOIA System for faster FOIA requests

#23

Post by bradleyjg »

danso wrote: post #19

The FBI is surprisingly responsive and "human" for FBI file (e.g. dead people records) requests, at least for the non-controversial ones. For example, MuckRock sent a records request for "Leslie Nielson" with no proof of death and yet the FBI (as far as I can see in the message chain) didn't give them a hard time about it: https://www.muckrock.com/foi/united-states-of-america-10/fbi... I recently sent in a request fo…

My dad put in a FOIA request for my grandfather's FBI file back in April and has gotten nothing but a form letter with a case number so far.

The FOIA law requires agencies to ordinarily respond with twenty business days, thirty business days in "unusual circumstances" and longer than that only in "exceptional circumstances".

However, as bad as the FBI's disrespect for the law is, it doesn't hold a candle to the State Department which has been sitting on a FOIA request of mine since July of 2013. Their attitude seems to be that they don't have to comply with duly enacted laws until and unless compelled to do so by a federal judge.

Re: FBI launches eFOIA System for faster FOIA requests

#24

Post by mc32 »

trollian wrote: post #18

"eFOIA is currently closed. Typically, eFOIA operates Sunday through Saturday, 8am to 10pm Eastern time. Please try again within those hours." sigh

Eh, you know, I wish more businesses would actually do this with their online activities. This kind of inconvenience, would force people into doing other, perhaps more fulfilling activities and remind them of the physical aspect of life -things begin and stop. I'm not saying a FOIA isn't fulfilling, but if Amazon, Walmart, Facebook, could "close down" for given times zones during a wee hours window, it might not be a bad thing. If nothing else, I'd like to see the outcomes.

Now, of course, no one is going to jeopardize sales and do that... but I'm glad some of the gov't tries to keep it's business hours based on human labor concepts. A kind of skeuochron.

Re: FBI launches eFOIA System for faster FOIA requests

#25

Post by threatofrain »

bradleyjg wrote: post #23
danso wrote: post #19

The FBI is surprisingly responsive and "human" for FBI file (e.g. dead people records) requests, at least for the non-controversial ones. For example, MuckRock sent a records request for "Leslie Nielson" with no proof of death and yet the FBI (as far as I can see in the message chain) didn't give them a hard time about it: https://www.muckrock.com/foi/united-states-of-america-10/fbi... I recently sent in a request fo…

My dad put in a FOIA request for my grandfather's FBI file back in April and has gotten nothing but a form letter with a case number so far. The FOIA law requires agencies to ordinarily respond with twenty business days, thirty business days in "unusual circumstances" and longer than that only in "exceptional circumstances". However, as bad as the FBI's disrespect for the law is, it doesn't hold a candle to the State…

That's exactly how we should think of things too; mechanically. Even if the FBI today were morally ideal and responded to serious requests within the limits of their bureaucratic ability without stonewalling, that's not something we should depend on.

We should depend on levers and mechanisms.

Re: FBI launches eFOIA System for faster FOIA requests

#27

Post by moftz »

toomuchtodo wrote: post #14
awqrre wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They don't need to request the person's SSN... they could just choose not to release the data that is tied to a non-dead citizen since they already have their SSN, probably.

Their page specifically says if its not a first party request (you requesting information about you), you must submit a copy of the Social Security Death Index showing the person is deceased. Instead of the requestor needing to provide that page, they could simply verify the SSN you're providing, in combination with the person's name, against the Social Security Death Index file internally. "If you are requesting inf…

Are you suggesting that different government agencies work together to accomplish a task efficiently? Perish the thought!

Re: FBI launches eFOIA System for faster FOIA requests

#28

Post by Natanael_L »

mc32 wrote: post #24
trollian wrote: post #18

"eFOIA is currently closed. Typically, eFOIA operates Sunday through Saturday, 8am to 10pm Eastern time. Please try again within those hours." sigh

Eh, you know, I wish more businesses would actually do this with their online activities. This kind of inconvenience, would force people into doing other, perhaps more fulfilling activities and remind them of the physical aspect of life -things begin and stop. I'm not saying a FOIA isn't fulfilling, but if Amazon, Walmart, Facebook, could "close down" for given times zones during a wee hours window, it might not be a…

Why should their schedule decide?

Re: FBI launches eFOIA System for faster FOIA requests

#29

Post by [deleted] »

threatofrain wrote: post #25
bradleyjg wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My dad put in a FOIA request for my grandfather's FBI file back in April and has gotten nothing but a form letter with a case number so far. The FOIA law requires agencies to ordinarily respond with twenty business days, thirty business days in "unusual circumstances" and longer than that only in "exceptional circumstances". However, as bad as the FBI's disrespect for the law is, it doesn't hold a candle to the State…

That's exactly how we should think of things too; mechanically. Even if the FBI today were morally ideal and responded to serious requests within the limits of their bureaucratic ability without stonewalling, that's not something we should depend on. We should depend on levers and mechanisms.

[deleted]
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