Phillip Bradshaw
Information Manager
Clerk to the
Council
Room CY4B, County Hall
Phone: 029 2087
3346
Mobile : 07890 265987
Fax: 029 2087 3349
Proactive Publishing Promotes Positive Perceptions
____________________
Craig Geddes,
Council Records Manager
Legal Services
(0141) 577 3059
EAST RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL - WORKING FOR YOU
<www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk>
-----Original Message-----
From: The UK Records Management mailing list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Harrison, Iain
Sent: 05 June 2008 08:27
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: FOI and filtersThere hasn't been much/any precedent in the UK concerning cases of this kind, and my view is that it is probably a bit of a non-starter as frankly most stuff likely to be filtered out (at Coventry certainly) would not meet most of the basic UK FOI requirements anyway i.e. It may be in writing, but whether it gives a correspondence address and describes the information required would be debateable.If I put a request in, and it goes unanswered, I would chase, often by another means, or via a different contact, so that option is surely available to the determined/thwarted requester?If challenged, we can state that we are also required by other legislation i.e. DPA to take reasonable organisational & technical measure to protect personal data (and by implication-our systems)-and use of filters and blocking software/controls is arguably part of that, as is compliance with standards, good practice etc. Granted, there may be cases where staff (because of what they do) need to receive certain types of material-but that can be assessed on a case-by-case basisIn short, us applying a block (that is not too restrictive) to what we consider and have defined as unreasonable/dangerous is clearly a defensible position!Iain HarrisonInformation Governance OfficerInformation Governance TeamCustomer & Workforce ServicesCoventry City CouncilCouncil HouseEarl StreetCoventry CV1 5RRTelephone No: 024 7683 3305Fax No: 024 7683 3395
From: The UK Records Management mailing list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sonya Sherman
Sent: 05 June 2008 05:55
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FOI and filters
Hi everyone,
I'm wondering if anyone can provide some advice on the best way to handle the implementation of email spam filters in government departments, with respect to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
How do you manage the risk of a legitimate request for information being blocked and deleted at the server, and never delivered to the intended recipient for action?
Would it be sufficient to publish (in the email policy) broad details about the filter, and adding some kind of explanatory note on any webpage where the FOI contact address apprears? Requests can of course be sent to any government officer (not just via the dedicated FOI address) and our IT folk are not keen to publish much detail about filter settings, as they feel this will enable spammers to circumvent the filter.
I've done a bit of random Googling but can't find many published cases - or consistent findings - regarding appeals where requests had been filtered out.
Grateful for any thoughts, suggestions or precedents you may have.
Best wishes
Sonya
"As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world - that is the myth of the atomic age - as in being able to remake ourselves... Be the change that you want to see in the world." --Mohandas K. Gandhi
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