Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Documents not available under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) include those that are classified for national security reasons, information related to personal privacy, law enforcement records that could compromise investigations, and certain inter-agency or intra-agency communications that are protected by deliberative process privilege. Additionally, trade secrets or confidential commercial information are also exempt from disclosure. These exemptions are designed to protect sensitive information and maintain national security, privacy, and the integrity of governmental processes.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was primarily sponsored by Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Representative John E. Moss in the United States Congress. The act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 4, 1966, and it aimed to promote transparency in government by granting the public the right to access federal agency records.

You can receive information from a FOIA request in various formats, including electronic formats like email or downloadable files (PDF, Word, etc.), or in hard copy through postal mail. The specific format may depend on the agency's capabilities and your preferences. It's advisable to specify your preferred format when submitting the request to ensure you receive the information in a convenient manner.

There is no official, comprehensive list of all executive agreements made by the U.S. government, as these agreements are often not published in a centralized location. However, some organizations and researchers compile databases or lists of significant executive agreements, particularly those that have had a notable impact on U.S. foreign policy. These agreements can range from trade deals to military alliances and are usually documented in governmental archives or specific historical studies. For detailed information, one might refer to resources like the Department of State or academic publications on U.S. foreign relations.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exemptions are designed to protect sensitive information that, if disclosed, could jeopardize national security, public safety, or the privacy of individuals and organizations. Specifically, exemptions related to critical infrastructure aim to prevent the release of information that could be exploited by malicious actors, thereby safeguarding the physical and cyber assets of public and private entities. By restricting access to certain details about critical infrastructure, these exemptions help ensure that owners remain secure against threats, while balancing transparency with the need for security.

Unions, as private organizations, are generally not covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which applies primarily to federal agencies and their records. However, if a union is involved in government contracts or is operating in a public capacity, certain information may be subject to state public records laws. Additionally, unions are required to disclose certain financial information under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA). Overall, the extent to which union information is accessible can vary based on specific circumstances and applicable laws.

The Privacy Act of 1974 gives individuals the right to access information that federal agencies maintain about them. This act allows individuals to request and review their records, ensuring transparency and protecting personal privacy. Additionally, it establishes guidelines for how personal information can be collected, used, and disclosed by government agencies.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act of 1974 can conflict when requests for information overlap with individuals' privacy rights. FOIA allows the public to access federal agency records, promoting transparency, while the Privacy Act protects personal information held by federal agencies from being disclosed without consent. This tension arises when a request under FOIA seeks information that may reveal private details about individuals covered by the Privacy Act, potentially limiting access to public records. Balancing these two acts often requires careful consideration of the specific circumstances surrounding each request.

Congress must approve laws passed by the District of Columbia because the U.S. Constitution grants Congress ultimate authority over the federal district. This oversight is rooted in the Constitution's Article I, Section 8, which gives Congress the power to exercise exclusive legislation in the District. As a result, local laws enacted by the D.C. Council are subject to congressional review and can be disapproved within a certain timeframe. This system reflects the unique status of D.C. as a federal district rather than a state.

Major beneficiaries of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) include journalists, researchers, and advocacy groups. These entities utilize FOIA to access government records and promote transparency, holding public officials accountable. Additionally, citizens benefit from increased access to information about government operations, enabling informed participation in democracy. Overall, FOIA serves as a vital tool for enhancing public oversight and fostering an informed populace.

Some examples of information that may be exempt from release in a FOIA request include classified national security information, law enforcement records that would interfere with ongoing investigations, personal medical or sensitive financial information, and proprietary trade secrets or commercial information.

U.S. or foreign citizens

Universities

State and local governments

The FOIA is a federal law that allows any US citizen to obtain by written request certain federal documents.

It pertains to federal issues only and to specific documents only.

It does give the individual the right to access documents such as congressional dispatches, state or federal court information of cases that have not yet been placed in public archives nor does it include the authority for the access of state or local government records.

Many countries outside the US also have similar acts in their statutes.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides public access to all federal agency records except for those records (or portions of those records) that are protected from disclosure by any of nine exemptions or three exclusions (reasons for which an agency may withhold records from a requester). The exemptions cover: classified national defense and foreign relations information, internal agency rules and practices, information that is prohibited from disclosure by another law, trade secrets and other confidential business information, inter-agency or intra-agency communications that are protected by legal privileges, information involving matters of personal privacy, certain information compiled for law enforcement purposes, information relating to the supervision of financial institutions, and geological information on wells.

1966

By Law, The third party organization like Certegy have to release all information pertaining to the person that is requesting everything that is filed about themselves in Certegy's system of records under the Freedom of Information Act.

A person who is requesting their own personal information are entitled to know what all is being filed in Certegy's system of records.

A person without his/her consent did not give Certegy the privilege or right to file a personal record of themselves in their System of Records.

Therefore it is illegal for Certegy as a third party extension to have that personal information in their System on file.

There are Laws in the U.S. Constitution that Certegy have to abide by and Certegy breaking these Laws results are punishment and lawsuits, tried and convicted in Court.

If Certegy's employees say, "due to unfortunate circumstances, for (propriety) reasons under our policies they cannot give that information out for it is a secret under the Privacy Act."

Certegy has no authority or right to use the Privacy Act since Certegy is a third party organization not a Federal Executive Branch Agency but acting as a Federal Executive Branch Agency which is a farce and false information on Certegy's behalf of their policies.

No private entity is required to respond in anyway to a FOIA act request (nor state, county, or local governments). The law only applies to the federal government and its agencies.

Some entities have forms available that you can use to request FOIA information from them. You'd have to call the entity to find out. If they do not, you simply prepare a letter with the necessary information.

reconnaissance

Classified records are withheld, according to US Department of Commerce regulations.

Records that include the name(s) of other people are redacted (blackened out).

Subjects of FBI investigations, other than the person who is named in the request, are blackened out.

Subjects of investigations by Capital Police, Washington D.C., other than the person who is named in the request, are blackened out.

Topics that are deemed sensitive, protected, or classified about someone else are redacted.