BlueLeaks (Austin Police Department)

Dear Emma Best:

Thank you for your interest in the public records of the Austin Police Department. Your request has been received and is being processed. Your request was received in this office on 6/29/2020 and given the reference number R040436-062920 for tracking purposes.
Please be advised that the Austin Police Department’s Central Records Division receives over 2500 requests for information a month. These requests are processed in the order received, and we strive to respond to each request promptly, as required by law.
Please know that, as a result of the large volume of requests received, the anticipated timeframe for responding to your request is approximately 45-60 business days.
You will be contacted about the availability and/or provided with copies of the records requested. PLEASE NOTE: The Texas Public Information Act does not require a governmental body to create new information, to do legal research, or to answer questions.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you’ll receive an email when your request has been completed. Again, thank you for using the Austin Public Records Center.
Austin Police Department

Dear Emma Best:
Thank you for contacting the City of Austin. Your request was received in this office on 7/13/2020 and given the reference number C073449-071320 for tracking purposes. Your request will be forwarded to the relevant City departments to locate the information you seek.
Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. Documents mentioning, describing or generated in response to the BlueLeaks release, the preceding hack or subsequent fallout, including but not limited to:

* Damage assessments
* Emails
* Interagency communications (local, state, or federal)
* Communications with the press about BlueLeaks
* Communications with Twitter or other social media or sharing platforms

2. Documents mentioning or describing Distributed Denial of Secrets (DDoSecrets)

You may limit this request to records generated between November 1, 2018 and the present.

I am a member of the news media and request classification as such. I have previously written about the government and its activities, with some reaching over 100,000 readers in outlets such as Gizmodo, MuckRock, Motherboard, Property of the People, Unicorn Riot, and The Outline, among others. As such, as I have a reasonable expectation of publication and my editorial and writing skills are well established. In addition, I discuss and comment on the files online and make them available through non-profits such as the library Internet Archive and the journalist non-profit MuckRock, disseminating them to a large audience. While my research is not limited to this, a great deal of it, including this, focuses on the activities and attitudes of the government itself. As such, it is not necessary for me to demonstrate the relevance of this particular subject in advance.

As my primary purpose is to inform about government activities by reporting on it and making the raw data available, I request that fees be waived.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Emma Best

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAd238CVJ9bPnqppIXO8-q1tXs%3A1jpoxO%3AilCnmBQ9vdo5pTsNvQkgh8eBNwU&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Faustin-police-department-365%252Fblueleaks-austin-police-department-96892%252F%253Femail%253Dmanagement.records%252540austintexas.gov
Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, you will receive communication from the City of Austin within 10 business days informing you of one or more of the following:
• The date the information will be available or a copy of the records sought
• A cost estimate/invoice
• A letter advising there is no responsive information for your request or that some/all the responsive information may or must be withheld by the City of Austin in accordance with the law
• The need for clarification from you.
Please note your request must ask for records that already exist. The Texas Public Information Act does not require a governmental body to create new information, perform legal research, or answer questions.

You will receive an email once your request is complete.

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Re: Open Record Request of July 13, 2020, Reference # C073449-071320
Dear Emma Best,
The City of Austin received a Public Information request from you on July 13, 2020, to request copies of records pertaining to the following: “To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. Documents mentioning, describing or generated in response to the BlueLeaks release, the preceding hack or subsequent fallout, including but not limited to:

* Damage assessments
* Emails
* Interagency communications (local, state, or federal)
* Communications with the press about BlueLeaks
* Communications with Twitter or other social media or sharing platforms

2. Documents mentioning or describing Distributed Denial of Secrets (DDoSecrets)

You may limit this request to records generated between November 1, 2018 and the present.

I am a member of the news media and request classification as such. I have previously written about the government and its activities, with some reaching over 100,000 readers in outlets such as Gizmodo, MuckRock, Motherboard, Property of the People, Unicorn Riot, and The Outline, among others. As such, as I have a reasonable expectation of publication and my editorial and writing skills are well established. In addition, I discuss and comment on the files online and make them available through non-profits such as the library Internet Archive and the journalist non-profit MuckRock, disseminating them to a large audience. While my research is not limited to this, a great deal of it, including this, focuses on the activities and attitudes of the government itself. As such, it is not necessary for me to demonstrate the relevance of this particular subject in advance.

As my primary purpose is to inform about government activities by reporting on it and making the raw data available, I request that fees be waived.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Emma Best

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAd238CVJ9bPnqppIXO8-q1tXs%3A1jpoxO%3AilCnmBQ9vdo5pTsNvQkgh8eBNwU&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Faustin-police-department-365%252Fblueleaks-austin-police-department-96892%252F%253Femail%253Dmanagement.records%252540austintexas.gov” This request requires a response  from the Austin Police Department and other City of Austin department(s). The  Austin Police Department reference number is R040436. The reference  number for other City Department(s) is C073449-071320.
Thank you for contacting the City of Austin.
PIR Team
City of Austin—Law Department
(512) 974-2268

--- Please respond above this line ---

Re: Open Record Request of July 13, 2020, Reference # C073449-071320
Dear Emma Best,
The City of Austin received a Public Information request from you on July 13, 2020, to request copies of records pertaining to the following: “To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. Documents mentioning, describing or generated in response to the BlueLeaks release, the preceding hack or subsequent fallout, including but not limited to:

* Damage assessments
* Emails
* Interagency communications (local, state, or federal)
* Communications with the press about BlueLeaks
* Communications with Twitter or other social media or sharing platforms

2. Documents mentioning or describing Distributed Denial of Secrets (DDoSecrets)

You may limit this request to records generated between November 1, 2018 and the present.

I am a member of the news media and request classification as such. I have previously written about the government and its activities, with some reaching over 100,000 readers in outlets such as Gizmodo, MuckRock, Motherboard, Property of the People, Unicorn Riot, and The Outline, among others. As such, as I have a reasonable expectation of publication and my editorial and writing skills are well established. In addition, I discuss and comment on the files online and make them available through non-profits such as the library Internet Archive and the journalist non-profit MuckRock, disseminating them to a large audience. While my research is not limited to this, a great deal of it, including this, focuses on the activities and attitudes of the government itself. As such, it is not necessary for me to demonstrate the relevance of this particular subject in advance.

As my primary purpose is to inform about government activities by reporting on it and making the raw data available, I request that fees be waived.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Emma Best

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAd238CVJ9bPnqppIXO8-q1tXs%3A1jpoxO%3AilCnmBQ9vdo5pTsNvQkgh8eBNwU&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Faustin-police-department-365%252Fblueleaks-austin-police-department-96892%252F%253Femail%253Dmanagement.records%252540austintexas.gov” The City mustreceive your permission to exclude attorney client privileged information orrequest a ruling from the Attorney General. Please reply immediately indicatingyou will allow the City to exclude attorney client privileged information.
Thank you for contacting the City of Austin.
PIR Team
City of Austin—Law Department
(512) 974-2268

--- Please respond above this line ---

Re: Public Information Request of July 13, 2020, Reference # C073449-071320
Dear Emma Best,
The City of Austinreceived a Public Information request from you onJuly 13, 2020, to request copies of records pertaining to thefollowing: “To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. Documents mentioning, describing or generated in response to the BlueLeaks release, the preceding hack or subsequent fallout, including but not limited to:

* Damage assessments
* Emails
* Interagency communications (local, state, or federal)
* Communications with the press about BlueLeaks
* Communications with Twitter or other social media or sharing platforms

2. Documents mentioning or describing Distributed Denial of Secrets (DDoSecrets)

You may limit this request to records generated between November 1, 2018 and the present.

I am a member of the news media and request classification as such. I have previously written about the government and its activities, with some reaching over 100,000 readers in outlets such as Gizmodo, MuckRock, Motherboard, Property of the People, Unicorn Riot, and The Outline, among others. As such, as I have a reasonable expectation of publication and my editorial and writing skills are well established. In addition, I discuss and comment on the files online and make them available through non-profits such as the library Internet Archive and the journalist non-profit MuckRock, disseminating them to a large audience. While my research is not limited to this, a great deal of it, including this, focuses on the activities and attitudes of the government itself. As such, it is not necessary for me to demonstrate the relevance of this particular subject in advance.

As my primary purpose is to inform about government activities by reporting on it and making the raw data available, I request that fees be waived.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Emma Best

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAd238CVJ9bPnqppIXO8-q1tXs%3A1jpoxO%3AilCnmBQ9vdo5pTsNvQkgh8eBNwU&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Faustin-police-department-365%252Fblueleaks-austin-police-department-96892%252F%253Femail%253Dmanagement.records%252540austintexas.gov”
The City of Austin has written to the Texas Attorney General's office regarding your request. Please log in to the Open Records Center at the following link todownload a copy of the letter. City of Austin - Multiple Departments - C073449-071320 (https://u8387778.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=6HtRfOYLt5fXvpttM-2FU1HfuZaD9k-2Fo8wPau2MT3JRxS-2BAE3J7IF7eBeE2un-2B0i8GBLKKv9duuYXe4SyPd8QFCA-3D-3DVlBe_-2BjaDG5Y9mPwLFGyDlZ5hzmn1FpP1Rr9eJFAr3cZtCBt0MkYml02Ku2KpVAHw8W3CoAnj7FRXRPpjzckzYL8NKYCHoelzHB6O9-2BrO-2BPIRYz-2B29CQ-2BxMn9r-2F2gn4HCjsmTHr-2FHxRS-2F-2BrRPm2eO2Ta7hF41Al3k-2FYr-2BAFH1HJGtArNiVI4JY-2FLf-2BkEmfhXTJI7I2qYl5Hod2swTEagfsoGuW33Cb86iVCHatFSJ-2FC2KboMHGQUDBBPCQYcdZMgg0wn5BhVBuJTJqchmkim2ga-2BiVRu665Wxym-2FC6rQ-2BEk7VpA08P9nk00oIT42C8YWzFgwQzgzvfK54WD4B94qKblsguceoPAmGS2aKh66GFQr0yLV4nDmgaMa-2Bd00k9yirJarKFO0Xa6dKdlPzqr5sb0jAqA-3D-3D)
Thank you for contacting the City of Austin.
PIR Team
City of Austin— Law Department
(512) 974-2268

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RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of July 13, 2020, PIR Reference # C073449-071320.

Dear Emma Best,

There are costs associated with providing information responsive to PIR Reference # C073449-071320 which requested: “To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. Documents mentioning, describing or generated in response to the BlueLeaks release, the preceding hack or subsequent fallout, including but not limited to:

* Damage assessments
* Emails
* Interagency communications (local, state, or federal)
* Communications with the press about BlueLeaks
* Communications with Twitter or other social media or sharing platforms

2. Documents mentioning or describing Distributed Denial of Secrets (DDoSecrets)

You may limit this request to records generated between November 1, 2018 and the present.

I am a member of the news media and request classification as such. I have previously written about the government and its activities, with some reaching over 100,000 readers in outlets such as Gizmodo, MuckRock, Motherboard, Property of the People, Unicorn Riot, and The Outline, among others. As such, as I have a reasonable expectation of publication and my editorial and writing skills are well established. In addition, I discuss and comment on the files online and make them available through non-profits such as the library Internet Archive and the journalist non-profit MuckRock, disseminating them to a large audience. While my research is not limited to this, a great deal of it, including this, focuses on the activities and attitudes of the government itself. As such, it is not necessary for me to demonstrate the relevance of this particular subject in advance.

As my primary purpose is to inform about government activities by reporting on it and making the raw data available, I request that fees be waived.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Emma Best

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAd238CVJ9bPnqppIXO8-q1tXs%3A1jpoxO%3AilCnmBQ9vdo5pTsNvQkgh8eBNwU&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Faustin-police-department-365%252Fblueleaks-austin-police-department-96892%252F%253Femail%253Dmanagement.records%252540austintexas.gov”

This letter responds to your above-referenced public information request and provides you with a cost estimate for providing copies of the information responsive to your request.  Please log in to "My Request Center" to see details associated with this cost estimate. https://cty-austintx.govqa.us/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(1ny3vuy4w5urpog42ppjoofr))/supporthome.aspx?LP=2
If the estimated charges exceed $100.00, pursuant to section 552.263(a) of the Government Code, we require payment of the full amount before starting work on your request.  Narrowing the scope of the request might reduce the estimated cost. There also might be a less expensive way for you inspect this information without receiving a copy. You may contact our office to discuss those less costly alternatives.

Pursuant to section 552.2615 of the Government Code, your request will be considered automatically withdrawn if you do not notify us in writing within 10 business days from the date of this statement that you:

a. Accept the charges and agree to pay;
b. Modify your request; or
c. Have sent to the Cost Rules Administrator at the Office of the Attorney General a complaint alleging that you have been overcharged for being provided with a copy of the public information. If you choose to accept these charges, please indicate your acceptance by replying to this email.
Thank you,
PIR Team
City of Austin—Law Department
(512) 974-2197

--- Please respond above this line ---

Re: Public Information Request of July 13, 2020, Reference # C073449-071320
Dear Emma Best,
The City of Austinreceived a Public Information request from you onJuly 13, 2020, to request copies of records pertaining to thefollowing: “To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. Documents mentioning, describing or generated in response to the BlueLeaks release, the preceding hack or subsequent fallout, including but not limited to:

* Damage assessments
* Emails
* Interagency communications (local, state, or federal)
* Communications with the press about BlueLeaks
* Communications with Twitter or other social media or sharing platforms

2. Documents mentioning or describing Distributed Denial of Secrets (DDoSecrets)

You may limit this request to records generated between November 1, 2018 and the present.

I am a member of the news media and request classification as such. I have previously written about the government and its activities, with some reaching over 100,000 readers in outlets such as Gizmodo, MuckRock, Motherboard, Property of the People, Unicorn Riot, and The Outline, among others. As such, as I have a reasonable expectation of publication and my editorial and writing skills are well established. In addition, I discuss and comment on the files online and make them available through non-profits such as the library Internet Archive and the journalist non-profit MuckRock, disseminating them to a large audience. While my research is not limited to this, a great deal of it, including this, focuses on the activities and attitudes of the government itself. As such, it is not necessary for me to demonstrate the relevance of this particular subject in advance.

As my primary purpose is to inform about government activities by reporting on it and making the raw data available, I request that fees be waived.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Emma Best

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAd238CVJ9bPnqppIXO8-q1tXs%3A1jpoxO%3AilCnmBQ9vdo5pTsNvQkgh8eBNwU&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Faustin-police-department-365%252Fblueleaks-austin-police-department-96892%252F%253Femail%253Dmanagement.records%252540austintexas.gov”
The City of Austin has written to the Texas Attorney General's office regarding your request. Please log in to the Open Records Center at the following link todownload a copy of the letter. City of Austin - Multiple Departments - C073449-071320 (https://u8387778.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=6HtRfOYLt5fXvpttM-2FU1HfuZaD9k-2Fo8wPau2MT3JRxS-2BAE3J7IF7eBeE2un-2B0i8GBLKKv9duuYXe4SyPd8QFCA-3D-3DZUMm_-2BjaDG5Y9mPwLFGyDlZ5hzmn1FpP1Rr9eJFAr3cZtCBt0MkYml02Ku2KpVAHw8W3CoAnj7FRXRPpjzckzYL8NKapdh75ryMEYVMTbJMVBmi8IRujD2aY-2F3X4WmA3byUT-2BnthlCZ14R-2FKL-2FT-2FTFPydvajfA0rYybruUXSKqqP0YSYx4RzrcLjkfl4s6JCQH41oFQ7OFh6WVw4RKax-2FxrpZIFRKAGlksXxQ14buODH5ORf6cyLMrle0w5qJKOtgQqU5m9Q7D-2BEJRsa525yBmuPRHX0TDeQ8VIVGltP64jrZpCaOTeyVHRpMO0EH-2FelWqvMCXouY-2BPeRw1EKlaHnH1-2FhaerIUkC-2FlZh99w25KxwTTOqtK-2BAt3PapneJC2Ca5Kihbt-2FwfZn6pTXD6TxVnsqsXGg-3D-3D)
Thank you for contacting the City of Austin.
PIR Team
City of Austin— Law Department
(512) 974-2268

The request has been forwarded from one agency to another agency or department for further review or follow up.

--- Please respond above this line ---
Hello Emma,

This is Corporal Davis with the Austin Police Department's Public Information Office.  I am following up on your request from June of 2020 and just wanted to make sure you received everything you needed so I can close out this request.  I apologize for the time it has taken for us to circle back around with you but I want to ensure your request was satisfied.  If no response is received by April 21st, 2022, then I will automatically close this request.  Have a wonderful day.

--- Please respond above this line ---

Re: Open Record Request of June 29, 2020, Reference # R040436-062920;
Dear Emma Best,
The Austin Police Department (APD) received a Public Information request from you on June 29, 2020, to request copies of records pertaining to the following: “;To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. Documents mentioning, describing or generated in response to the BlueLeaks release, the preceding hack or subsequent fallout, including but not limited to:

* Damage assessments
* Emails
* Interagency communications (local, state, or federal)
* Communications with the press about BlueLeaks
* Communications with Twitter or other social media or sharing platforms

2. Documents mentioning or describing Distributed Denial of Secrets (DDoSecrets)

You may limit this request to records generated between November 1, 2018 and the present.

I am a member of the news media and request classification as such. I have previously written about the government and its activities, with some reaching over 100,000 readers in outlets such as Gizmodo, MuckRock, Motherboard, Property of the People, Unicorn Riot, and The Outline, among others. As such, as I have a reasonable expectation of publication and my editorial and writing skills are well established. In addition, I discuss and comment on the files online and make them available through non-profits such as the library Internet Archive and the journalist non-profit MuckRock, disseminating them to a large audience. While my research is not limited to this, a great deal of it, including this, focuses on the activities and attitudes of the government itself. As such, it is not necessary for me to demonstrate the relevance of this particular subject in advance.

As my primary purpose is to inform about government activities by reporting on it and making the raw data available, I request that fees be waived.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Emma Best” Unfortunately, we will not be releasing any information regarding your request.  An attorney general's ruling has been issued in this case: https://www2.texasattorneygeneral.gov/opinions/openrecords/51paxton/orl/2020/pdf/or202023666.pdf This letter was also sent first class mail to you on 7/21/20.  Your open records request will be closed.
Sincerely,
Public Information Office
Austin Police Department

--- Please respond above this line ---
On 4/15/22, we replied to you that unfortunately we will not be releasing any information regarding your request.  An attorney general's ruling has been issued in this case: https://www2.texasattorneygeneral.gov/opinions/openrecords/51paxton/orl/2020/pdf/or202023666.pdf This letter was also sent first class mail to you on 7/21/20.  Your open records request will be closed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To Whom It May Concern: I'm following up on the following Texas Public Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on June 29, 2020. You had previously indicated that it would be completed on April 21, 2022. I wanted to check on the status of my request, and to see if there was a new estimated completion date. You had assigned it reference number #R040436-062920, C073449-071320. Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed. Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/

--- Please respond above this line ---
This request is closed.