Chapter 2 – The F.O.I.A and Privacy Acts

Table of Contents

Purpose
Introduction
Uses of The Federal Freedom of Information Act
Exemptions From Disclosure (F.O.I.A.)
Exemptions From Disclosure (PRIVACY ACT)
The Request
Brief Description of Requests
Agency Stall and Delay Tactics – Solutions
The F.O.I.A. Appeal
Review of Agency Records
Miscellaneous Considerations

The Privacy Act Amendment Process

Introduction
The Amendment Process
The Amendment Request

Below are some paragraphs from chapter 2, see how in simple and plain english law has been explained.

Purpose

The purpose of this segment is to provide you with a basic working knowledge of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts, uses, process, and structure of the request.  Learning how to use these acts, as real useful tools, will come with patience, practice, and experience.

Introduction

Welcome to the world of the Federal Freedom of Information (“F.O.I.A.”), and Privacy Acts.  The Federal Freedom of Information Act is codified in law as Title 5 United States Code Section 552.  The Federal Privacy Act is codified in law as Title 5 United States code Section 552a.  The United States Code is abbreviated as “USC” or “U.S.C.”.

With these disclosure laws you may obtain records pertaining to yourself, amend a record, conduct an investigation, obtain agency manuals and/or admissions, enforce disclosure laws through court proceedings against the agency, and collect sanctions of a $1,000 for each document wrongfully withheld.  Each kind of request can be neatly written by hand, rather than typed, as neither Act requires the request to be typed.  It should be noted here that an individual cannot obtain information about another individual’s file, as it would constitute unauthorized disclosure of return information, on the part of the agency, and any person who knowingly and willfully requests or obtains any record concerning another individual, from an agency under false pretenses shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than $5,000.  See 5 U.S.C. 552a(i)(3).