Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

FOIA Exemptions

Not all records are required to be released under the FOIA. Congress established nine exemptions from disclosure for certain categories of information to protect against certain harms, such as an invasion of personal privacy, or harm to law enforcement investigations. The FOIA authorizes agencies to withhold information when they reasonably foresee that disclosure would harm an interest protected by one of these nine exemptions.

32 CFR Part 286: DoD Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program

This document is the Department of Defense’s Interim Final Rule as published in the Federal Register.

• Identification #: 32 CFR Part 286
• Date: 7/1/2017
• Type: Federal Regulations
• Topics: Freedom of Information Act

DoD Directive 5400.07: DoD Freedom of Information Act Program

This Directive reissues DoD Directive 5400.07, “DoD Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program,” January 2, 2008 (hereby cancelled) to update policies and responsibilities for implementing the DoD FOIA Program in accordance with Section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the “FOIA”).

• Identification #: DoD Directive 5400.07
• Date: 1/25/2017
• Type: Directives
• Topics: Freedom of Information Act

OIP Summary of the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016

Public Law #114-185 -- https://www.justice.gov/oip/oip-summary-foia-improvement-act-2016

• Identification #: Public Law #114-185
• Date: 6/30/2016
• Type: Public Law
• Topics: Freedom of Information Act

DoD Directive 5400.11: Department of Defense Privacy Program

This Regulation is reissued under the authority of DoD Directive 5400.11, “DoD Privacy Program,” May 8, 2007. It provides guidance on section 552a of title 5 United States Code (U.S.C.), the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, and prescribes uniform procedures for implementation of the DoD Privacy Program.

• Identification #: DoD Directive 5400.11-R
• Date: 10/29/2014
• Type: Directives
• Topics: Submit a Data Sharing Application | Privacy Act at DHA | Freedom of Information Act | Privacy Impact Assessments | Breaches of PII and PHI | How HIPAA Protects You | HIPAA Compliance within the MHS

Examples of PII

Personally identifiable information (PII) is information that identifies, links, relates, or is unique to, or describes you. This also includes information which can be used to distinguish or trace your identity and any other personal information which is linked or linkable to you.

E-Government (E-Gov) Act of 2002, Section 208

The purpose of this section of the E-Government Act of 2002 is to ensure sufficient protections for the privacy of personal information as agencies implement citizen-centered electronic government.

• Identification #: Section 208
• Date: 12/17/2002
• Type: Federal Regulations
• Topics: Freedom of Information Act