Grindr and Tinder (operational use)
| Submitted | Feb. 4, 2014 |
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Communications
From: Shawn Musgrave
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:
Any guidelines, memos or operation protocols for using Grindr, Tinder or other dating social media applications or application data for investigations.
Please note that this is NOT a request for investigative files, but for operational documents of the FBI. In the attached request correspondence for a previous FOIA, I believe the FBI errantly searched investigative files rather than operational documents.
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
In the event that fees cannot be waived, 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 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Shawn Musgrave
From: Sobonya, David P.
Dear Mr. Musgrave,
The FBI has received your additional correspondence regarding your Freedom of Information Act/Privacy (FOIPA) request and it has been forwarded to the assigned analyst for review. If appropriate, a response will be forthcoming.
Additional information regarding the FOIPA may be accessed at http://www.fbi.gov/ or http://www.fbi.gov/foia/.
If you require additional assistance please contact me.
Thank you,
David P. Sobonya
Public Information Officer/Legal Admin. Specialist
Record/Information Dissemination Section (RIDS)
FBI-Records Management Division
170 Marcel Drive, Winchester, VA 22602-4843
PIO: (540) 868-4593
Direct: (540) 868-4286
Fax: (540) 868-4391/4997
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation - FBI
A no responsive documents response.
From: Shawn Musgrave
Hello,
Per the response letter, it seems that the FBI checked its investigative files with respect to Grindr/Tinder, etc. Please clarify whether this is the case, as my original request specifically outlined that this was not my intention.
Please advise at your earliest convenience.
Best,
Shawn
From: Sobonya, David P.
Dear Mr. Musgrave,
If you are not satisfied with the results of your request you may file an appeal with the Office of Information Policy (OIP), United States Department of Justice. Please follow the instructions below when submitting your appeal to OIP.
Please note: Do not submit your appeal to the FBI.
Appeals should be directed in writing to the following:
Director,
Office of Information Policy (OIP)
U. S. Department of Justice
1425 New York Avenue, N. W., Suite 11050
Washington, D, C. 20530-0001.
Your appeal must be received by OIP within sixty (60) days from the date of your letter in order to be considered timely. The envelope and the letter should be clearly marked, “Freedom of Information Appeal.” Please cite the FOIPA Request Number assigned to your request so that it may be indentified easily.
OIP’s Customer Service Number is #202-514-3642.
Thank you,
David P. Sobonya
Public Information Officer/Legal Admin. Specialist
Record/Information Dissemination Section (RIDS)
FBI-Records Management Division
170 Marcel Drive, Winchester, VA 22602-4843
PIO: (540) 868-4593
Direct: (540) 868-4286
Fax: (540) 868-4391/4997
From: Shawn Musgrave
Mr. Sobonya:
I wanted to check in with your office before escalating to a formal appeal, as I wanted to verify that your office had understood my request and processed it accordingly. Please advise as to whether you wish me to enter the formal appeals process rather than simply check the processing notes, which I would also be happy to request.
Respectfully,
Shawn
From: Sobonya, David P.
Dear Mr. Musgrave,
You have the option of providing additional information and request that another search be conducted for records responsive to the FOIA and/or you can file an appeal with OIP as stated below. Please reference FOIPA Request Number #1207601-001 in any future correspondence.
Processing/case notes are withheld under Title 5, U. S. C. Section 552 (b)(7)(E).
Please contact me if you require further assistance.
Thank you,
David P. Sobonya
Public Information Officer/Legal Admin. Specialist
Record/Information Dissemination Section (RIDS)
FBI-Records Management Division
170 Marcel Drive, Winchester, VA 22602-4843
PIO: (540) 868-4593
Direct: (540) 868-4286
Fax: (540) 868-4391/4997
From: Shawn Musgrave
Again, I am trying to ascertain which records were searched so that I can determine whether I need to request a subsequent search or file an appeal.
In my initial request, I made clear that this is a request for operational — rather than investigative — records. I am still unclear as to whether this aspect of my initial request was followed as the FBI searched for responsive documents. Knowing this is determinative as to whether I need to file a (possibly needless) appeal.
Best,
Shawn
From: Sobonya, David P.
Dear Mr. Musgrave,
If you are not satisfied with the results of your request you may file an appeal with the Office of Information Policy (OIP), United States Department of Justice. Please follow the instructions below when submitting your appeal to OIP.
Please note: Do not submit your appeal to the FBI.
Appeals should be directed in writing to the following:
Director,
Office of Information Policy (OIP)
U. S. Department of Justice
1425 New York Avenue, N. W., Suite 11050
Washington, D, C. 20530-0001.
Your appeal must be received by OIP within sixty (60) days from the date of your letter in order to be considered timely. The envelope and the letter should be clearly marked, “Freedom of Information Appeal.” Please cite the FOIPA Request Number assigned to your request so that it may be indentified easily.
OIP’s Customer Service Number is #202-514-3642.
Thank you,
David P. Sobonya
Public Information Officer/Legal Admin. Specialist
Record/Information Dissemination Section (RIDS)
FBI-Records Management Division
170 Marcel Drive, Winchester, VA 22602-4843
PIO: (540) 868-4593
Direct: (540) 868-4286
Fax: (540) 868-4391/4997
From: Shawn Musgrave
Director, Office of Information Policy (OIP)
U. S. Department of Justice
1425 New York Avenue, N. W., Suite 11050
Washington, D, C. 20530-0001
March 17, 2014
To Whom It May Concern:
This is an appeal for FOIA #1207601-001 to the FBI. I appeal the adequacy of the search conducted, in that the FBI has refused to indicate whether its FOIA office searched operational records rather than investigative files. I was clear in my request that this was a request for operational records, but subsequent followups suggest that the FBI searched solely for investigative files for the indicated subjects.
For this and any other reasons deemed applicable by the appeals authority, I appeal.
Best,
Shawn Musgrave
From: OIP-NoReply
From: Federal Bureau of Investigation - FBI
A letter stating that the request appeal has been rejected.
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