After LinkedIn Clues, FOIA Nets New Details On NSA's ANCHORY Program

v3rgEz writes "After the ACLU's Christopher Soghoian highlighted NSA programs listed on LinkedIn, Jason Gulledge filed a request for details about the program — and turned up lucky. The NSA released 7 pages of database descriptions of its ANCHORY program, an open-source intelligence data gathering effort. The NSA's FOIA office said it would pony up more, but only if Gulledge could prove he was requesting the documents as part of a news gathering effort or if he would agree to pay associated fees."

Prove why?

[nurb432]

WTH is that about? I'm an American and i want to know what my government is doing. .That should be valid enough of a reason.

Fees and "news"

[Typical Slashdotter]

Complying with FOIA requests can be expensive, especially for an organization like the NSA which will have to conduct a thorough review to make sure nothing's classified. The FOIA permits agencies to charge fees to cover these expenses (see foia.gov's description of costs [foia.gov]). When disclosure of the information is "in the public" interest, the agency can waive these fees [foia.gov].

Re:License?

[oodaloop]

Open source has another meaning in the intelligence community. Open source refers to unclassified information, such as the internet, newspapers, and other media. It's used as opposed to signals intelligence (SIGINT), human intelligence (HUMINT), etc. Often referred to as Open Source Intelligence (OSINT).

(IAA Intelligence Analyst)

Re:Why?

[Anonymous Coward]

"or if he would agree to pay associated fees."

FOIA does allow for this - it's not carte blanche to bankrupt the government with stupid requests for metric tons of paper. FOIA has always allowed for this - they will often waive the fees for 'news stories,' but will charge fees associated with the processing of the requests for private requests.

Re:Why?

[Anonymous Coward]

And he should definitely make that argument. As long as the disclosure is "in the public interest" and "not for the commercial benefit of the requester," the FOI Officer can opt to reduce or waive the FOIA processing fees. See the rules at: http://www.hhs.gov/foia/45cfr5.html#Subd [hhs.gov]

Alternately, he could start a Kickstarter project, and ask for donations. I bet there'd be plenty of people who would contribute a few bucks to covering the processing fees the NSA is asking for.