eFOIA – National Freedom of Information Coalition

MuckRock: The FBI’s FOIA portal restricts rights of requesters

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Yesterday, when Mike Best broke the news that the FBI would be shutting down its FOIA email address and directing all online submissions through its online portal, a few people sensibly asked just how bad that portal could be. We’re here to tell you how bad.

Full disclosure: Some of MuckRock’s best friends have worked on building FOIA portals (hey, 18F!). We think that there’s room for well-designed government software to make life easier for requesters AND agencies. But the FBI’s eFOIA system appears to be designed explicitly not to be used.

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Critics slam FBI’s new app that demands ID

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The FBI’s new data-requesting eFOIA app comes with controversial terms: The agency wants your ID in exchange for the information. Critics argue that the FBI collecting the requesters’ sensitive information is “over the top” and likely illegal.

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FBI now allows Freedom of Information Act requests to be made online

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The FBI is now allowing Freedom of Information Act requests to be made online.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation recently began beta testing of eFOIA, a new online system that allows the public to make FOIA requests for FBI records and receive immediate access to view or download the material.

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