FOIPA adventures

[coderman]

On 11/10/15, Juan <juan.g71 at gmail.com> wrote:
> ...
>> - wide variety of requests and processing activity, which is useful
>> for discerning aspects of FOIA processing at agencies of interest.
>
> 	f1 { so you got information regarding how the
> 	information-denying bureaucracy works?  }

exactly. for example, it used to be you could request "Processing
Notes" for a request, and this metadata about processing the request
was handed over as dry and useless.

now they refuse all requests for processing notes, and you must always
appeal.  this is done because some of the proc notes showed how
responsive documents were "overlooked" conveniently by special
interpretation of the request. E.g. their bullshit got caught out :)



>> - learned indicators of obfuscation or delay, which in turn is signal
>> to dig deeper, aggressively appeal and follow up.
>
> 	f1 ()

this might be delays, making you wait for responsive documents until
after "public interest" has waned. or your interest, for that matter.

or it might be undercover feds in crown vics following you around ridiculously.

or it gets bounced around a few FOIA people inside the agency to find
the best way to provide the least information.

or ...



last but not least, i also learned it is near impossible to use
MuckRock for personal Privacy Act requests about your person. still
need to re-submit with legal counsel...


best regards,