Can a FOIA request be denied?
Can the FCC deny my FOIA request? Yes. If the Bureau or Office that is the custodian of the records determines that there are no records responsive to your request, or that one or more of the FOIA exemptions described above applies to the documents you request, your request will be denied in writing.
How much does it cost to request FOIA?
By making a FOIA request, the requester shall be considered to have agreed to pay all applicable fees up to $25.00 unless a fee waiver has been granted. If the Department estimates that the search costs will exceed $25.00, the requester shall be so notified.
What can you ask for in a Freedom of Information request?
You can ask for any information you think a public authority may hold. The right only covers recorded information which includes information held on computers, in emails and in printed or handwritten documents as well as images, video and audio recordings.
What information can you get from a FOIA request?
FOIA covers records from all federal regulatory agencies, cabinet and military departments, offices, commissions, government-controlled corporations, the Executive Office of the President, and other organizations of the Executive Branch of the federal government.
Can you charge for a freedom of information request?
This generally means that a public authority can only charge for expenses actually incurred, for example, photocopying or postage. However, a public authority can charge for complying with the request. The amount that the public authority can charge is determined by section 9 of the Act.
How long does a Freedom of Information request take?
Under the Act, most public authorities may take up to 20 working days to respond, counting the first working day after the request is received as the first day. For schools, the standard time limit is 20 school days, or 60 working days if this is shorter.
Can you make a freedom of information request to a private company?
Private companies are not covered by the Freedom of Information Act. Broadly only organisations considered public authorities are covered by the law. This means FOI requests cannot be made to businesses and private companies generally. Companies wholly owned by public authorities are covered by the FOI Act.
Are GPs exempt from Freedom of Information Act?
The ICO has published guidance on the dataset provisions in FOIA. This explains what is meant by “not appropriate” and “capable of re-use”. GPs do not have to publish in their publication schemes any information that would be exempt from disclosure in response to a FOIA request; eg patient records.
Can you submit a Freedom of Information request over the telephone?
If you cannot make your request in writing because of a disability, contact the public authority. They should help you to make the request another way – for example over the phone. You can ask for environmental information in writing, in person or by phone.
Does the Freedom of Information Act apply to medical records?
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is the federal law that allows individuals to request access to government records. It too exempts medical records held by government agencies from disclosure requests. The Brown Act incorporates California’s patient-physician privilege law (Cal.
Are GP practices subject to FOI?
Freedom of information law Under the law, public bodies, including GP practices, must: respond to requests for information from members of the public.
Do GP practices publish accounts?
Practices must publish the mean earnings for all GPs in their practice. All earnings to be reported are pre-tax, National Insurance and employee pension contributions.
What is the difference between a freedom of information request and a subject access request?
If the information you want is information relating to YOU and your personal data then a subject access request will do. If the information you want is for example about the number of car crash incidents in a given year an FOI request will do.
What type of documents are not allowed in the Freedom of Information Act?
Information/data that is NOT covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) includes: Non-agency records and personal records. Public requests for access to physical artifacts or scientific samples (e.g. core samples, sediment, rocks, fossils, specimen samples, blood samples).
Who is subject to Freedom of Information Act?
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides public access to information held by public authorities. It does this in two ways: public authorities are obliged to publish certain information about their activities; and. members of the public are entitled to request information from public authorities.
Do you have to mention the FoI Act when requesting information?
You must include your name and correspondence address on the request. You should also describe the information requested. You don’t have to mention the FoI Act, but it may remind the recipient of their obligation to reply.
What if a Freedom of Information request is ignored?
There are no financial or custodial penalties for failure to provide information on request or for failure to publish information. But you could be found in contempt of court for failing to comply with a decision notice, enforcement notice, or information notice.
How long should a Freedom of Information request take?
Section 10 specifies that a public authority must comply promptly, and no later than 20 working days after the date of receipt of the request.
Can you make an anonymous FOIA request?
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests are not confidential. Once a FOIA request is received, it becomes a public record of the USGS. If the request contains personally identifying information or the request is deemed “sensitive,” we may redact information under FOIA Exemption 6 (personal privacy).
Can you FOIA yourself?
In the United States, you can request government information about yourself using both the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act. You will need to type up a request or use a form if the government agency has one.
Is a Freedom of Information request confidential?
It would be different if a requester asked for, say, all requests on a particular subject, and the requests could be disclosed without identifying the requester. In effect, the information ceases to be personal data so can be disclosed.
Who does the FOIA apply to?
The FOIA applies only to federal agencies. It does not apply to records held by Congress, the courts, or by state or local government agencies. Each state has its own public access laws that should be consulted for access to state and local records.
Does FOIA apply to private companies?
The FOIA does not apply to private companies; persons who receive Federal contracts or grants \18\; private organizations; or State or local governments.
Who is exempt from ICO?
Maintaining a public register. Judicial functions. Processing personal information without an automated system such as a computer. Since 1 April 2019, members of the House of Lords, elected representatives and prospective representatives are also exempt.
Which information is exempt from disclosure?
Information including commercial confidence, trade secrets or intellectual property, the disclosure of which would harm the competitive position of a third party, is exempted from disclosure under Section 8(1)(d) of RTI Act, unless the competent authority is satisfied that larger public interest warrants the disclosure …
Who is not covered under RTI?
Most of the intelligence agencies are excluded from the ambit of RTI Act, 2005 as would be seen from Schedule 2 to the Act. However, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence (DGCEI) are notable exclusion to this exemption.