EFF "Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) & Open Government" Archive

Files in this Archive

aclu_cpsr_us_v_ray.brief
June 1991 brief of US v Michael Ray about how to evaluate competing interests in privacy and open government under Exemption 6. That exemption provides that agencies may withhold only personal information "the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Case revolves around disclosure of information relating to the treatment of Haitian refugees.
digtel94_foia.article
1994 CyberWire Dispatch explaining how the critical thinking behind the Administration's decision to back the FBI's controversial Digital Telephony Wiretap Act was based on a severely flawed cost/benefit analysis
doj_v_landano.decision
May 1993 decision by the Supreme Court on USDOJ v Landano, a case in which Justice O'Connor delivered the opinion of the Court exempting, in support of the FOIA, the disclosure agency records -compiled for law enforcement purposes . . . by criminal law enforcement authority in the course of a criminal investigation- if release of those records -could reasonably be expected to disclose- the identity of, or information provided by, a -confidential source.
e-foia.bill
Senator Leahy's "Electronic Freedom of Information Improvement Act of 1993" to amend the FOIA to provide for public access to information in an electronic format
fisa-recipe.pdf
16-page internal FBI website about how to get FISA orders. Obtained by EPIC. (PDF 1.3MB)
foia.guide
1993 edition of the "Citizen's Guide on Unsing the Freedom of Information Act and the privacy Act of 1974" to request government records.
foia.kit
1988 Edition of "Using the FOIA" for individuals or organizations who wish to make an FOIA application to a federal agency, containing 5 files; FOIA Instructions, FOIA Application; FOIA Fee Waiver; FOIA Appeal; selected Federal FOIA Addresses; and FBI Offices nationwide
foia_clinton_reno_93.memos
Clinton's October 1993 Memorandum on Administration of Freedom of Information Act declaring his commitment to enhancing its effectiveness in his Administration. Also, Reno's input and response
foia_doc.note
how to request information under FOIA from the Department of Commerce
freedom_of_info.act
text of the Freedom of Information Act of 1966 and Amendments (as of 1/2/91)
natl_sec_exec_12356.order
April 1982 National Security Information executive order prescribing a uniform system for classifying, declassifying, and safeguarding national security information. It recognizes that it is essential that the public be informed concerning the activities of its Government, but that the interests of the United States and its citizens require that certain information concerning the national defense and foreign relations be protected against unauthorized disclosure. Information may not be classified under this Order unless its disclosure reasonably could be expected to cause damage to the national security.
nsa_employee.manual
Phrack Magazine's March 1994 posting of the NSA Employee Security Manual
us_foia.law
CPSR's Jan 1991 posting of the Freedom of Information Act of 1966 and Amendments
wh_foia.policy
c. 1993 or 1994 white house release outlining Clinton's broad support behind legislation to apply the Freedom of Information Act to electronic records


Subdirectories in This Archive

CPSR_v_FBI/
CPSR's FOIA suit against the FBI
CPSR_v_NSA/
CPSR's attack on the NSA and its clipper policy
Clipper_FOIA/
Clipper-related FOIA cases, incl. Gilmore & Tien v. NSA.
EPIC_v_FBI/
EPIC's FOIA lawsuit against the FBI
Foreign_and_local/
documents related to FOIA from elsewhere
Gilmore_v_NSA/
Gilmore's various FOIA suits against the NSA
ITAR_FOIA/
ITAR export restrictions on cryptographic products, obtained via FOIA request.
Reform/
Info on efforts to reform policies that restrict (or simply fail to provide) online access to public documents (including campaign finance information, legislative vote records, and many others).


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