Freedom Of Information Request Redaction Specialists...

Everyone has the right to ask for information from UK public authorities.

This includes any UK citizen, non-UK citizen, people living abroad, journalists, political parties, lobby groups and commercial organisations.

The ICO state ‘Most of the time, you should avoid disclosing information about other people. But there may be occasions when the personal data you’ve pulled together includes information that’s closely linked to someone else. In those situations, your aim should still be to release the personal data requested. But you also need to think about what might happen if you disclose data about someone else.

First, you should check to see if you need the other person’s consent to provide their information. If you don’t have the consent of the other person, then you should think about whether it’s reasonable to provide that information without their consent. You need to bear in mind any duty of confidentiality you have to them. You also need to think about what kind of information might be disclosed, as some information might be particularly sensitive. If you can’t get consent and it’s not reasonable to provide the information without it, then you should see if you can redact the other persons information.  You should look to disclose personal data if you can but it’s a balancing act in these circumstances.

The type of information that can be requested includes printed documents, computer files, letters, emails, photographs, and sound or video recordings.

This information does not have to be an “official document” or produced by the public authority. Any information held by the public authority can be requested, including draft documents and correspondence received by the authority. Recordings of telephone conversations and CCTV recordings can be also requested.

• Expertise: Third-party providers specialise in handling freedom of information requests (FOI), ensuring compliance with privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).
• Efficiency: Outsourcing reduces the time and resources needed by internal teams, enabling quicker responses to requests.
• Cost Savings: Outsourcing can be more cost-effective than hiring and training in-house staff, especially for periodic or fluctuating FOI volumes.
• Scalability: External service providers can handle large volumes of requests during peak times, offering flexibility.
• Risk Mitigation: Third-party vendors such as Content Capture Services can help reduce the risk of non-compliance or mishandling of sensitive data, with established processes in place.
• Focus on Core Business: Delegating FOI processing allows internal teams to focus on core business functions, improving overall productivity.
• Data Security: Professional FOI handling services implement stringent data protection measures to ensure the confidentiality and security of personal data.