Security7.02.2017

FBI reverts to fax and snail mail for FOIA requests

FBI emblem

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will no longer accept Freedom of Information Act requests via email, opting for traditional mail and faxes instead.

Journalist Michael Best revealed that the “FBI has announced they’ll stop accepting all emailed requests in a month, will force the use of their FOIA portal, fax, or snail mail only”.

The new policy will start in March and follows the example of other agencies like the CIA.

The Daily Dot reported that the FBI will accept a fraction of requests through an online portal, provided users agree to terms of service and are willing to provide the FBI with personal information.

“It’s a huge step backwards for the FBI to switch from a proven, ubiquitous, user-friendly technology like email to a portal that has consistently shown problems,” said Michael Morisy, cofounder of MuckRock.

Now read: The FBI can read all your email, and you’ll never know

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