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The Latest Breaking News from Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act Is Failing Due to Government Bloat

In FY 2024, over 200,000 Freedom of Information Act requests were backlogged, according to the Government Accountability Office.

Reason

The sudden dismissal of public records staff at health agencies threatens government accountability

Mass layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services are continuing as the agency makes good on its intention, announced on March 27, 2025, to shrink its workforce by 20,000 people. Among workers dismissed in early April were several teams responsible for fulfilling requests for access to previously unreleased…

The Conversation

‘Dubious’ use of the Freedom of Information Act stopping access to files on Prince Andrew, researchers say

Biographer says government departments give contradictory refusals to requests and accuses them of ‘cover up’

The Guardian - UK

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How FOIA Gave Rise to Government Transparency Laws Around the World

Flawed as it may be, the U.S. Freedom of Information Act became a model in transparency for other countries to follow.

Reason

Trump team reaches deal with White House to begin transition process

Trump and his aides have wanted to avoid using government systems that could be subject to Freedom of Information Act requests or other federal oversight

The Independent UK

Truth Social users say they’ve been scammed out of massive amounts of cash

Accounts obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request reveal a large number of elderly supporters of the former president have fallen foul of such schemes.

The Independent UK

Florida AG sues Biden Admin for records on released criminals released into the U.S. instead of being deported

The lawsuit was filed after receiving no response to a Freedom of Information Act request in March seeking information about criminal illegal foreign nationals

Latin Times

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Court Rules That the Government Can Hide Its Own Report on CIA Torture

The executive branch and the Senate have played hot potato with an infamous torture report, allowing the CIA to evade the Freedom of Information Act.

Reason

Hey, Fauci's Staff: You Can't Just 'Make Your Emails Disappear'

A government scientist is the latest official whose attempts to evade the Freedom of Information Act have landed him in hot water.

Reason

Freedom of Information Act 'not fit for purpose'

Victoria's Information Commissioner is pushing for greater independence from government and says the Freedom of Information Act is not fit for purpose.

AAP

UK water industry’s ‘urgent’ plan to tackle sewage pollution delayed by four months

Exclusive: Documents released after Freedom of Information Act requests show repeated requests for plans

The Guardian - UK

Sam Altman quietly got $75M from the University of Michigan for a new venture capital fund earlier this year

Fortune discovered the investment into Hydrazine’s fourth fund via a Freedom of Information Act request.

Fortune

Joe Biden's Email Aliases Are a Potentially Serious Transparency Problem

Multiple administrations have allowed senior officials to use alias email accounts. The practice undermines the Freedom of Information Act and encourages secrecy.

Reason

Brickbat: What You Don't Know Can't Hurt Us

Chicago officials are refusing to release public records showing how they have spent more than $100 million caring for foreign migrants. The city has denied a Freedom of Information Act request from a local television station, saying there were no such records, as well as requests for the same records…

Reason

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The Independent UK

Public bodies named and shamed over Freedom of Information request failings

The Information Commissioner’s Office urged organisations to ensure their performance and processes complied with the law.

Chicago Tribune

Ex-Mayor Lori Lightfoot sued to keep a letter about the city treasurer secret from the Tribune. Will Brandon Johnson continue her fight?

CHICAGO -- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is so far continuing a public records legal battle he inherited from predecessor Lori Lightfoot over a letter regarding alleged misconduct at the city treasurer’s office.

Newcastle Herald

Stop dragging chain on heritage application for ocean baths

Friends of Newcastle Ocean Baths applied for documents under the Freedom of Information Act after its unsuccessful application for an Interim Heritage Order to stop the concreting of the baths floor.

The Independent UK

AP obtains records shedding new light on Jeffrey Epstein’s jail suicide and frantic aftermath

The Associated Press has obtained more than 4,000 pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s jail suicide from the federal Bureau of Prisons under the Freedom of Information Act

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IT Pro

HMRC lost nearly 50% more devices in 2022, nearly 2,000 missing since 2017

IT device losses at HMRC increased by nearly 50% in the space of a year, according to Freedom of Information Act (FOI) requests submitted in 2022. Statistics released under the FOI act show that between September 2021 and 2022, HMRC declared 635 lost and stolen devices. SEE MORE HMRC tells…

The Independent UK

LOCALIZE IT: Sunshine Week shines light on open government

EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS

The Independent UK

Trump used Freedom of Information Act request to slow IRS release of his taxes

Mr Trump had the authority to ask for the records during his presidency but instead used the Freedom of Information Act

Reason

Is It 'Treason' To Support Free Trade?

Shipping industry insiders floated a recommendation to charge critics of the Jones Act with treason, according to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.

WEKU

Hidden audits reveal millions in overcharges by Medicare Advantage plans

Taxpayers footed the bill for care that should have cost far less, according to records released under the Freedom of Information Act. The U.S. government may charge insurers $650 million as a result.

Tribune News Service

Editorial: The public shouldn't have to sue to get public information

Ask any reporter or public watchdog dealing with federal agencies and they will tell you the Freedom of Information Act is an invaluable tool to ensure government transparency and accountability. They can also share stories of dealing with mind-numbing bureaucracy and yearslong waits.

Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago police oversight agency releases videos to family of 13-year-old shot by officer

The videos were released to the family through a Freedom of Information Act request.

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