Anonymous + general hacktivists 2009-2018 (U.S. Geological Survey)

Emma North-Best filed this request with the U.S. Geological Survey of the United States of America.

It is a clone of this request.

Tracking #

USGS-2019-00144

Multi Request Anonymous + general hacktivists 2009-2018
Est. Completion None
Status
No Responsive Documents

Communications

From: Emma North-Best


To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Documents mentioning or relating to Anonymous (the hacker movement/collective, see below) or hacktivism (defined as hacking as a form of protest and/or activism) generated between 1 January 2009 and 1 January 2019, including but not limited to:

* Internal reports, bulletins, warnings and alerts relating to Anonymous or hacktivism
* Reports from the appropriate IT (Information Technology) or computer offices regarding possible cyber attacks by Anonymous or other hacktivists
* Reports, bulletins, warnings and alerts relating to or mentioning Anonymous or hacktivism sent to or received from any federal law enforcement or intelligence agencies or any fusion center
* Incident reports investigating possible hacking activity falling within the office's jurisdiction and allegedly carried out by members of Anonymous or other hacktivist groups
* Materials generated as a result of any suspected or actual compromise, breach or "dox" (revealing of personal or private information) by Anonymous or other hacktivists

Anonymous has been described by government agencies as a non-hierarchical hacktivist collective, Anonymous uses hacking (and arguably cracking) techniques to register political protest in campaigns known as “#ops.” Best known for their distributed denial of services (DDoS) attacks, past activities have included attacks against the Church of Scientology; Visa, Paypal, and others who withdrew their services from WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange after that group began releasing war documents; #OpTunisia and others purporting to support the Arab Spring; and a campaign that brought down the website of the Westboro Baptist Church. #Ops are usually marked with the release of a video of a reader in a Guy Fawkes mask using a computer generated voice. See attached for additional background information.

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 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Emma Best

From: U.S. Geological Survey

Dear Ms. Best:

On May 30, 2019, the USGS Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) office received
your FOIA request, and assigned it control number *USGS-2019-00144*.
Please cite this number in any future communications with our office
regarding your request. You request the following information:

Documents mentioning or relating to Anonymous (the hacker
movement/collective, see below) or hacktivism (defined as hacking as a form
of protest and/or activism) generated between 1 January 2009 and 1 January
2019, including but not limited to:

· Internal reports, bulletins, warnings and alerts relating to
Anonymous or hacktivism.

· Reports from the appropriate IT (Information Technology) or
computer offices regarding possible cyber-attacks by Anonymous or other
hacktivists.

· Reports, bulletins, warnings and alerts relating to or mentioning
Anonymous or hacktivism sent to or received from any federal law
enforcement or intelligence agencies or any fusion center.

· Incident reports investigating possible hacking activity falling
within the office's jurisdiction and allegedly carried out by members of
Anonymous or other hacktivist groups.

· Materials generated as a result of any suspected or actual
compromise, breach or "dox" (revealing of personal or private information)
by Anonymous or other hacktivists

We have classified you as a representative of the “news media” requester.
As such, we may charge you for some of our duplication costs, but we will
not charge you for our search or review costs; you also are entitled to up
to 100 pages of photocopies (or an equivalent volume) for free. *See
<http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=0fc3ab3499768eebc2e3691c8cf88dec&rgn=div5&view=text&node=43:1.1.1.1.2&idno=43#43:1.1.1.1.2.7.5.3>**43
C.F.R. § 2.39
<http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=0fc3ab3499768eebc2e3691c8cf88dec&rgn=div5&view=text&node=43:1.1.1.1.2&idno=43#43:1.1.1.1.2.7.5.3>*.
If, after taking into consideration your fee category entitlements, our
processing costs are less than $50.00, we will not bill you because the
cost of collection would be greater than the fee collected. *See
<http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=0fc3ab3499768eebc2e3691c8cf88dec&rgn=div5&view=text&node=43:1.1.1.1.2&idno=43#43:1.1.1.1.2.7.5.13>**43
C.F.R. § 2.49(a)(1)
<http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=0fc3ab3499768eebc2e3691c8cf88dec&rgn=div5&view=text&node=43:1.1.1.1.2&idno=43#43:1.1.1.1.2.7.5.13>**.
*You can expect to hear from us promptly regarding the outcome of this
search.

We use Multitrack Processing to process FOIA requests. The Simple track is
for requests that can be processed in one to five workdays. The Normal
track is for requests that can be processed in six to twenty workdays. The
Complex track is for requests that can be processed in twenty-one to sixty
workdays. The Exceptional/Voluminous track is for requests requiring more
than sixty workdays for processing. The Expedited track is for requests
that have been granted expedited processing. Within each track, requests
are usually processed on a first-in, first-out basis.

Your request falls into the *Complex* processing track. We therefore
anticipate that we will complete a final response to you by *August 21,
2019**.* During the interim, we will attempt to provide records to you in
batches.

You may limit the scope of your request, which may enable us to process it
more quickly, or agree to an alternative time period for processing by
communicating with us or our USGS FOIA Public Liaison, Mr. Brian May, as
follows:

USGS FOIA Office

Attention: Mr. Brian A. May

5522 Research Park Drive

Baltimore, Maryland 21228

Telephone: (443) 498-5521

Fax: (443) 498-5510

E-Mail: foia@usgs.gov

Additionally, you may contact the Office of Government Information Services
(OGIS) at the National Archives and Records Administration to inquire about
the FOIA mediation services they offer. The contact information for OGIS
is as follows:

Office of Government Information Services

National Archives and Records Administration

8601 Adelphi Road-OGIS

College Park, Maryland 20740-6001

Telephone: (202) 741-5770

Toll free: 1-877-684-6448

Fax: (202) 741-5769

E-mail: *ogis@nara.gov <ogis@nara.gov>*;

Web: *https://ogis.archives.gov <https://ogis.archives.gov/>*

If you have any questions concerning your request, please contact me by
email at *foia@usgs.gov <foia@usgs.gov>* or by phone at (303) 236-2733.

Thank you for your interest in the U.S. Geological Survey.

Sincerely,

//SIGNED//

Nour Suleiman

U.S. Geological Survey

Department of the Interior

Denver Federal Center

Box 25046

Mail Stop 801A

Denver, CO 80225

(303) 236-2733 (office)

(303) 236-1451 (fax)

f <bmay@usgs.gov>oia@usgs.gov

From: U.S. Geological Survey

Dear Ms. Best,

I am writing to inform you that, as yet, we have been unable to make a
determination on your request USGS FOIA 2019-00144. We apologize for this
delay.

Attached is a list of USGS's Open FOIA requests and the processing track,
your case is highlighted in yellow. Currently your request is 4rd place in
my processing queue, and 43rd place in our overall processing queue. DOI's
policy is to process requests by processing track, on a first-in; first-out
basis. We will begin processing your request as soon as it comes up in the
queue. We have a backlog of 40 cases.

If we identify any FOIA Exemptions, we will need to coordinate a legal
review with the Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor. If any
other government agency/department has equity in any of the records, we will
also have to consult with those agencies/departments regarding those
records.

Although we hope that you will wait so that we can complete our search and
review process, please note that you may seek dispute resolution services
from our FOIA Public Liaison and FOIA Officer, Mr. Brian May. He can be
reached at:

U.S. Geological Survey

FOIA Public Liaison

5522 Research Park Drive

Baltimore, Maryland 21228

Telephone: (443) 498-5521

Fax: (443) 498-5510

Email: f <mailto:oia@usgs.gov> oia@usgs.gov

You may also seek dispute resolution services from the Office of Government
Information Services (OGIS). If you choose to contact OGIS, you may do so
in any of the following ways:

Office of Government Information Services

National Archives and Records Administration

8601 Adelphi Road - OGIS

College Park, Maryland 20740-6001

Telephone: (202) 741-5770

Toll-free: 1 (877) 684-6448

Fax: (202) 741-5769

Email: ogis@nara.gov <mailto:ogis@nara.gov>

Web: https://ogis.archives.gov

Please note that you may file an appeal with the Department’s FOIA/Privacy
Act Appeals Officer regarding this delay. If you choose to appeal this
delay, you may do so anytime between now and the date we make our
determination on the FOIA request. Appeals arriving or delivered after 5
p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, will be deemed received on the
next workday.

Your appeal must be made in writing. You may submit your appeal and
accompanying materials to the FOIA/Privacy Act Appeals Officer by mail,
courier service, fax, or email. All communications concerning your appeal
should be clearly marked with the words: "FREEDOM OF INFORMATION APPEAL."
You must also include with your appeal copies of all correspondence between
you and USGS concerning your FOIA request, including your original FOIA
request and USGS's response. Failure to include with your appeal all
correspondence between you and USGS will result in the Department's
rejection of your appeal, unless the FOIA/Privacy Act Appeals Officer
determines (in the FOIA/Privacy Act Appeals Officer’s sole discretion) that
good cause exists to accept the defective appeal.

Please include your name and daytime telephone number (or the name and
telephone number of an appropriate contact), email address and fax number
(if available) in case the FOIA/Privacy Act Appeals Officer needs additional
information or clarification of your appeal.

DOI FOIA/Privacy Act Appeals Office Contact Information

Department of the Interior

Office of the Solicitor

1849 C Street, N.W.

MS-6556 MIB

Washington, D.C. 20240

Attn: FOIA/Privacy Act Appeals Office

Telephone: (202) 208-5339

Fax: (202) 208-6677

Email: FOIA.Appeals@sol.doi.gov <mailto:FOIA.Appeals@sol.doi.gov>

Please note that using OGIS services does not affect the timing of filing an
appeal with the Department’s FOIA & Privacy Act Appeals Officer. We regret
the delay and appreciate your consideration in this matter. For more
information on FOIA Administrative Appeals, you may review the Department's
FOIA regulations at
<http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=0fc3ab3499768eebc2e3691c8cf
88dec&rgn=div5&view=text&node=43:1.1.1.1.2&idno=43> 43 C.F.R. Part 2,
Subpart H.

If you have any questions, please contact me by phone at (303) 236-2737 or
by email at <mailto:foia@usgs.gov> foia@usgs.gov.

Thank you for your continued patience while we process your request.

V/r

Andreas

//SIGNED//

Georg-Andreas Pogány

Government Information Specialist

Freedom of Information Act Office / FOIA

U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey

Denver Federal Center, Bldg 53

Box 25046, Mail Stop 801A

Denver, Colorado 80225-0046

Ph: 303-236-2737

Email: <mailto:gpogany@usgs.gov> gpogany@usgs.gov

“So, if you cannot understand that there is something in a man which
responds to the challenge of this mountain and goes out to meet it, that the
struggle is the struggle of life itself upward and forever upward, then you
won’t see why we go. What we get from this adventure is just sheer joy We do
not live to eat and make money. We eat and make money to be able to enjoy
life. That is what life means and what life is for.” Because in the end, you
won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn.
You won’t remember the days in between the days that truly matter. Today can
be that day, the day you embraced life, the day your journey began. So go
and climb that mountain.” George H.L. Mallory & Jack Kerouac

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
This message (including any attachments) is intended exclusively for the
individual or entity to which it is addressed. This communication may
contain information that is proprietary, privileged or confidential or
otherwise legally exempt from disclosure. If you are not the named
addressee, you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or
disseminate this message or any part of it. If you have received this
message in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail and delete
all copies of the message.

From: U.S. Geological Survey

Good Morning Ms. Best:

I have completed the processing of your request, USGS FOIA Tracking
#USGS-2019-00144.

Please find our response attached to this email. If you decide to appeal,
please follow the instructions in the attached letter.

If you have any questions I can be reached at foia@usgs.gov
<mailto:foia@usgs.gov> , or by phone at (303) 236-2737.

Thank you for your patience while we processed your request and for your
interest in the U.S. Geological Survey.

V/r

Andreas

//SIGNED//

Georg-Andreas Pogány

Government Information Specialist

Freedom of Information Act Office / FOIA

U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey

Denver Federal Center, Bldg 53

Box 25046, Mail Stop 801A

Denver, Colorado 80225-0046

Ph: 303-236-2737

Email: <mailto:gpogany@usgs.gov> gpogany@usgs.gov

“So, if you cannot understand that there is something in a man which
responds to the challenge of this mountain and goes out to meet it, that the
struggle is the struggle of life itself upward and forever upward, then you
won’t see why we go. What we get from this adventure is just sheer joy We do
not live to eat and make money. We eat and make money to be able to enjoy
life. That is what life means and what life is for.” Because in the end, you
won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn.
You won’t remember the days in between the days that truly matter. Today can
be that day, the day you embraced life, the day your journey began. So go
and climb that mountain.” George H.L. Mallory & Jack Kerouac

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
This message (including any attachments) is intended exclusively for the
individual or entity to which it is addressed. This communication may
contain information that is proprietary, privileged or confidential or
otherwise legally exempt from disclosure. If you are not the named
addressee, you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or
disseminate this message or any part of it. If you have received this
message in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail and delete
all copies of the message.

From: U.S. Geological Survey

Good Morning Ms. Best:

I have completed the processing of your request, USGS FOIA Tracking
#USGS-2019-00144.

Please find our response attached to this email. If you decide to appeal,
please follow the instructions in the attached letter.

If you have any questions I can be reached at foia@usgs.gov
<mailto:foia@usgs.gov> , or by phone at (303) 236-2737.

Thank you for your patience while we processed your request and for your
interest in the U.S. Geological Survey.

V/r

Andreas

//SIGNED//

Georg-Andreas Pogány

Government Information Specialist

Freedom of Information Act Office / FOIA

U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey

Denver Federal Center, Bldg 53

Box 25046, Mail Stop 801A

Denver, Colorado 80225-0046

Ph: 303-236-2737

Email: <mailto:gpogany@usgs.gov> gpogany@usgs.gov

“So, if you cannot understand that there is something in a man which
responds to the challenge of this mountain and goes out to meet it, that the
struggle is the struggle of life itself upward and forever upward, then you
won’t see why we go. What we get from this adventure is just sheer joy We do
not live to eat and make money. We eat and make money to be able to enjoy
life. That is what life means and what life is for.” Because in the end, you
won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn.
You won’t remember the days in between the days that truly matter. Today can
be that day, the day you embraced life, the day your journey began. So go
and climb that mountain.” George H.L. Mallory & Jack Kerouac

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
This message (including any attachments) is intended exclusively for the
individual or entity to which it is addressed. This communication may
contain information that is proprietary, privileged or confidential or
otherwise legally exempt from disclosure. If you are not the named
addressee, you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or
disseminate this message or any part of it. If you have received this
message in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail and delete
all copies of the message.

From: U.S. Geological Survey

Good Morning Ms. Best:

I have completed the processing of your request, USGS FOIA Tracking
#USGS-2019-00144.

Please find our response attached to this email. If you decide to appeal,
please follow the instructions in the attached letter.

If you have any questions I can be reached at foia@usgs.gov
<mailto:foia@usgs.gov> , or by phone at (303) 236-2737.

Thank you for your patience while we processed your request and for your
interest in the U.S. Geological Survey.

V/r

Andreas

//SIGNED//

Georg-Andreas Pogány

Government Information Specialist

Freedom of Information Act Office / FOIA

U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey

Denver Federal Center, Bldg 53

Box 25046, Mail Stop 801A

Denver, Colorado 80225-0046

Ph: 303-236-2737

Email: <mailto:gpogany@usgs.gov> gpogany@usgs.gov

“So, if you cannot understand that there is something in a man which
responds to the challenge of this mountain and goes out to meet it, that the
struggle is the struggle of life itself upward and forever upward, then you
won’t see why we go. What we get from this adventure is just sheer joy We do
not live to eat and make money. We eat and make money to be able to enjoy
life. That is what life means and what life is for.” Because in the end, you
won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn.
You won’t remember the days in between the days that truly matter. Today can
be that day, the day you embraced life, the day your journey began. So go
and climb that mountain.” George H.L. Mallory & Jack Kerouac

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
This message (including any attachments) is intended exclusively for the
individual or entity to which it is addressed. This communication may
contain information that is proprietary, privileged or confidential or
otherwise legally exempt from disclosure. If you are not the named
addressee, you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or
disseminate this message or any part of it. If you have received this
message in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail and delete
all copies of the message.

Files

pages

Close