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Since Snowden Leaks, NSA's FOIA Requests Are Up 1,000 Percent

Posted by samzenpus on from the checking-the-list dept.

v3rgEz writes "A veritable FOIA frenzy ensued in 2013 following a series of leaks about NSA surveillance programs, recently released documents show. From June 6 to September 4, the National Security Agency's FOIA load increased 1,054 percent over its 2012 intake. In that three-month span, the agency received 3,382 public records requests. For comparison, the NSA received just 293 requests over the same period in 2012. While a few have netted new details about NSA surveillance operations, such as a contract with French security firm VUPEN, the majority appear to have been rejected. MuckRock has a guide on filing with the NSA to maximize your chances of actually getting something back."

5 of 47 comments (clear)

  1. Hey, more FOIA requests Obama can ignore! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Yep, most transparent administration in history

  2. This reveals the major problem with the FOIA... by intermodal · · Score: 5, Informative

    Without Snowden, the people submitting these FOIA requests wouldn't have known what to request, which basically kills the point of actually making the requests. FOIA requires unduly high burden on the requester to actually already know (at least in part) what they're looking for. It's not really written to create transparency, but the illusion of transparency.

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    In SOVIET RUSSIA... erm...NSA AMERICA, the Internet logs onto YOU!
    1. Re:This reveals the major problem with the FOIA... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      FOIA requires unduly high burden on the requester to actually already know (at least in part) what they're looking for. It's not really written to create transparency, but the illusion of transparency.

      Illusion? Hardly. Whats more transparent than invisible?

  3. Tomorrow's news by DougOtto · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Government use of black toner up 1000 percent!"

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    Solving Unix problems since 1989...
  4. Re:Increased by 1000 (or 500, etc) percent by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm fine with sensationalistic reporting on this issue.

    We have CNN reporting more on political calculations of both sides in the shutdown, as if that's news.

    We have "reporting" on "concerns" one side or the other has of the other side harming themselves politically on myriad issues, not just this, all treated as on the level rather than facetiousness incarnate.

    We have polls and BS like Sinead worrying about Miley, another excuse to show her naked body on a wrecking ball.

    None of this will be of concern, or even remembered, in a few years.

    Loss of freedom because an uncontrolled spy system was abused by politicians to spy on political opponents will be.

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    (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.