The freedom of information act the freedom of information act foia generally provides that any person has the right to request access to federal agency records or information except to the extent the records are protected from disclosure by any of nine exemptions contained in the law or by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions. An act to make provision for the disclosure of information held by public authorities or by persons providing services for them and to amend the data protection act 1998 and the public records act 1958. Freedom of information act 2000 overview summary this overview is intended for the general reader who wishes to understand the broad principles of the freedom of information act 2000 without the need to go into specific detail. The freedom of information act 2000 applies to uk government departments including those operating in scotland and public authorities in england, wales and northern ireland. The freedom of information act 1989 nsw commenced operation on 1 july 1989. Information governance freedom of information act 2000. Freedom of information act 2000 1 freedom of information act 2000 hannah bowker. The uks freedom of information legislation has been a success story, providing a regime for freedom of information. It then looks at how freedom of information legislation has been used by researchers in other countries particularly the united states, and, finally, assesses possible uses that social scientists in the united kingdom might make of the freedom of information act, 2000, following its full implementation in. The freedom of information act 2000 foia is intended to act as a catalyst for change in the way public authorities approach openness and manage their records. The information technology act, 2000 also known as ita2000, or the it act is an act of the indian parliament no 21 of 2000 notified on 17 october 2000. You have the right to ask to see recorded information held by public authorities. The text of the freedom of information act 2000 contains eight major sections called parts, followed by eight explanatory notes called schedules. The freedom of information act 2000, which came into force on 1 january 2005, is essentially about promoting open government.
This document should not be viewed as definitive practical guidance but rather as an informative guide to aid basic understanding of the act. Fy 2000 fiscal year 2000, which ran from october 1, 1999, through september 30, 2000. This paper first describes the provisions of the uk freedom of information act, 2000. Ministry of justice, 24 june 2009 for political leaders, its like saying to someone who is hitting you over the head with a stick, hey, try this instead, and. Freedom of information act 2011 laws of the federation of nigeria arrangement of sections 1. It aims to promote a culture of openness and accountability in the public sector, by providing people with a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities. The freedom of information act 2000 was introduced by the british government in the year 2000. As it is amended, it contains some of the most stringent privacy requirements in the world and has the unfortunate impact of holding intermediaries liable for illegal content. A data format in which each piece of data is separated by a comma.
This guide provides an overview of the freedom of information act 2000, its implications for business and strategic issues that companies may wish to bear in mind when faced with the disclosure of sensitive information that they have supplied to public authorities. The freedom of information act 2000 foia is a legislative framework set by the uk government to promote transparency and accountability in the public sector and to revolutionise the conduct and behaviour of public. Each section contains a detailed analysis of the key judicial opinions issued on the foia. It is based on our own understanding of the act and on guidance issued by jisc joint. Ppt freedom of information act 2000 powerpoint presentation. The overview is not intended to provide policy guidance, as that role statutorily rests with the office of management and budget omb, 5 u. When a person makes a request for their own information, this is a data protection subject access request. The adults with incapacity scotland act 2000 the act provides a framework for decisions to be made on behalf of adults who lack the capacity to do so themselves. Based on interviews with officials, requesters and journalists, as well as a survey of foi requesters and a study of stories in the national media, this book offers a unique insight into how the freedom of information act 2000 really works.
Its provisions apply in england, wales and northern ireland, but not in scotland which has its own similar, though different, act passed by the scottish executive on 28 may 2002. The freedom of information act of 2000 the act was passed by the uk parliament in 2000 and came into force in its entirety in 2005. The freedom of information act 2000 foia is a legislative framework set by the uk government to promote transparency and accountability in the public sector and to revolutionise the conduct and behaviour of public sector organisations cips knowledge works, 2009. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in. Any information security breach that involves personal information is a breach of the data protection act 1998. If you need to contact the information commissioners office, please use the link below. It examined the impact of the uk freedom of information act foia 2000 on records management services in public authorities, especially in local government. The freedom of information act 2000 was introduced by the british government in the year 2000 the act creates a general right of access, on request, to information held by public authorities. The uks freedom of information legislation has been a. An overview of the freedom of information act 2000 and the. It is primarily a means of increasing transparency in official decisionmaking and procedures, and enabling citizens to hold government to account. Freedom of information act united states wikipedia.
Does the freedom of information act 2000 require a public. In july 2005, the freedom of information act 2000 came into effect giving you the right to request information from any public authority. Adults with incapacity scotland act 2000 part 4 management of residents finances information leaflet. Likewise, the environmental information regulations 2004 which ensure that environmental information is accessible to the public also apply to us. The medicare, medicaid, and schip state childrens health insurance program balanced budget refinement act of 1999 bbra pub. Overview, legislation, and federal funding congressional research service 1 background and history of the violence against women act vawa the violence against women act vawa was originally passed by congress as title iv of the violent crime control and law enforcement act of 1994 p. Department of justice guide to the freedom of information act. Indias information technology act, 2000 or it act, is a subject of contention and controversy. Motherboard reports on information it obtained via the freedom of information act outlining u.
The act defines agency records subject to disclosure, outlines mandatory disclosure procedures, and defines nine exemptions to the statute. More information on the freedom of information act 2000 can be found here. India it act of 2000 information technology act termsfeed. Foia freedom of information act, as amended by the electronic freedom of information act amendment of 1996. Extension of time limit for granting or refusing application 7. The project considered the interrelationship between. The act defines agency records subject to disclosure, outlines mandatory disclosure procedures. Freedom of information act 2000 emails, reports, photographs, research and minutes of meetings are all examples of information that an organisation may be required to produce if subjected to a freedom of information foia request.
Freedom of information requests pdf, 703 kb section 1 of the freedom of information act 2000 gives individuals the right to request. The freedom of information act 2000 provides public access to information held by public authorities. The freedom of information act was passed on the 30th november 2000 and came into force on the 1st january 2005. In 20082009, a research project, funded by the arts and humanities research council, was run by the department of information studies at university college london ucl. The guide includes detailed discussions of the foias procedural requirements, nine exemptions, and litigation considerations. Data files for calendar years 2000 through 2018 are now available as downloads. An information security breach is where the incident has resulted in any loss of, or unauthorised access to university data, normally involving university personal or confidential information, including intellectual property ip.
The freedom of information act is enforced by the information commissioner as is also the case with the data protection act 1998. This library briefing paper gives an overview of freedom of information requests. The council already provides information which is frequently requested, please check the section on information we already provide for further details. For each information resource, read provides comprehensive information, including a description, the responsible organization, a contact, and a url link to the information resource if available. Oct 30, 2012 freedom of information act 2000 labour manifesto commitment in 1997 came into force, along with environmental information regulations, in 2005 covers england, wales, northern ireland scotland has similar, but nonidentical, law brought uk into line with 85 other countries around world with some form of freedom of information legislation. They are entitled to be told whether the school holds the information, and to receive a copy, subject to certain exemptions. Freedom of information scotland act 2002 this overview provides a general introduction to the freedom of information scotland act 2002 and aims to outline the broad principles of this legislation. An overview of the main provisions of foia can be found in the guide to freedom of information. The act replaces the open government code of practice which has been in operation. Surf your watershed find information about land areas that catch rain and snow and drain to specific marshes, streams, lakes, rivers or ground water.
It also applies to the house of commons, the house of lords and to the welsh and northern. That means any member of the public may demand that withheld information about them is released to them. The uks freedom of information legislation has been a success story, providing a regime for freedom of information that is among the most open and rigorous in the world. An overview of the freedom of information act 2000 and the foi regulatory framework.
The united states department of justice guide to the freedom of information act is a comprehensive legal treatise on the foia. This narrow, preinternet focus was very much predicated on the concept of a computer as a functional box or network of boxes containing. These amendments were a result of the charter of reform between the greiner government and three independent members of. Using the freedom of information act linkedin slideshare. The very fact of the introduction of the freedom of information act will signal a new relationship between government and people. Freedom of information act 2000 simple english wikipedia. The freedom of information act 2000 and data storage.
The complainant lodged his information request to the department of trade and industry dti. Part b national summary data file previously known as. The freedom of information act 2000 and environmental information regulations 2004 give you specific rights to obtain information about what we do and how we do the general data protection regulation gdpr eu 2016679 gives you the right to see personal information we hold about you. Under the act, any person has a legal right to ask for access to information held by the school. The freedom of information act 2000 grants members of the public, as well as businesses and journalists, a right to access information held by government bodies and some other types of. The parts outline the rights of the public to obtain information, conditions under which such access may be refused, special exemptions, an appeals process and modes of enforcement.
Drug enforcement agency funding to train other law enforcement on exploiting social media platforms to mine data. Its application is limited in scotland which has its own freedom of information legislation to uk government. The recital to the computer misuse act 1990 states that it was an act to make provision for securing computer material against unauthorized access or modification. Freedom of information act central bank of nigeria. The freedom of information act foia is a law that gives you the right to access information from the federal government. May 12, 2020 freedom of information foi requests must be in writing including by email, need not mention the act, but must include the name and address or email address of the enquirer and the information sought. If an applicant who is not provided with access to information which they have requested from a public authority then the first port of call for the applicant is with the public authorities internal complaints procedure. The download format is csv comma separated values for years 2000 2009. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government. Significant amendments designed to increase the accountability of government were made in 1992. According to a statement of work, the dea is responsible for keeping up with the increas. Information commissioner is an independent official appointed by the crown to oversee the data protection act 1998, the freedom of information act 2000 and the environmental information regulations 2004.
Dod open government transparency foia foia resources. It is the implementation of freedom of information legislation in the united kingdom on a national level. Part 1 freedom of information and the insolvency service. The freedom of information act 2000 foia gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities and places a number of obligations on public authorities in making information available the intention is to encourage a culture of openness and. How to make a freedom of information foi request gov.
In effect, the enforcement provisions of part 4 of the freedom of information act 2000 the act are imported into the eir. Doj handbook for agency annual foia reports february 2017. The freedom of information act 2000 foi came fully into force on january 1 2005. The act prescribes a statutory right of access to information held by public authorities and public sector organisations, pursuant to conditions contained within the act. Registered office as above a short guide to the freedom of information act and other new access rights version 1. National online foia library freedom of information act. The campaign for freedom of information suite 102, 16 baldwins gardens london ec1n 7rj tel. The uk freedom of information act and social research. A request must be complied with, unless one or more of the exemptions in the act are relevant. The freedom of information act 2000 foia gives rights of public access to information held by public authorities. Chief foia officer reports 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 20 2012 2011 2010 fcc annual foia reports 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014. It is the primary law in india dealing with cybercrime and electronic commerce. Freedom of information requests house of commons library.
It then looks at how freedom of information legislation has been used by researchers in other countries particularly the united states, and, finally, assesses possible uses that social scientists in the united kingdom might make of the freedom of information act, 2000, following its full implementation in january 2005. The impact of the freedom of information act on central. The freedom of information foi act 2000 gives members of the public the right to access information held by public bodies. The freedom of information act 2000 foia gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities. Freedom of information requests access to information. Computer misuse act an overview sciencedirect topics. The act creates a general right of access, on request, to information held by public authorities. Freedom of information overview an act to make provision for the. This document is also available in pdf format 240k. The act which is an expansion of section 39 of the constitution of the. The freedom of information act and the dpa 2018 come under the heading of information rights and are regulated by the ico. Tracking the provisions of the act itself, the overview provides reference to and legal analysis of court decisions interpreting the acts provisions. The impact of freedom of information on records management.