[otisfunkmeyer]

Can anyone provide links for information about FOIAs... I know I know I should RTFM and Google it--but if someone has some knowledge about this already, I'd really appreciate it.

I'm interested in the possibility of working to set this up. This seems like a very very good idea. Nothing would be more glaring to me personally than to receive a letter back from the government saying I can't know what they have on me. I think many people would feel similarly.

But I think it will only work if it really is as easy as filling out a form or a fairly easy PDF/etc.

If so, perhaps something as simple as a nice domain and a pretty WP theme with some well-written copy could turn this idea to reality...

Any other takers?

[AaronI]

A good place to start is http://www.foia.gov/

The specific information required for a request varies by agency, as do any fees. Most of them now provide online forms on their sites.

While I was the FOIA/Privacy Act coordinator/liaison for one of the commands I was attached to while in the Navy, we generally accepted any form of written request, provided the person included their full name, postal address, phone number and a detailed enough description of the information they were requesting.

[mehmehshoe]

If you like videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQzSpk3hdNM

A presentation by an author publishing a book about the history of phone phreaking. The discussion is focused on his experience dealing with FOIA submissions. I found it informative as a real life explanation of the timeline for requests and how much is redacted.