BlueLeaks server seizure (National Capital Region Threat Intelligence Consortium)
| Multi Request | BlueLeaks server seizure |
| Submitted | Dec. 27, 2020 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Emma North-Best
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the DC Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
Records (including but not limited to emails, reports, briefs, documents, memos, or recordings) mentioning or describing the seizure of a server in Germany containing the Hunter Memorial Library and the BlueLeaks portal operated by Distributed Denial of Secrets.
See BlueLeaks-Server bei Zwickau beschlagnahmt by NetzPolitik (https://netzpolitik.org/2020/polizei-daten-aus-den-usa-blueleaks-server-bei-zwickau-beschlagnahmt/) and the statement from the German prosecutor's office:
Aufgrund eines US-amerikanischen Vorabsicherungsersuchen im Rahmen der internationalen Rechtshilfe in Strafsachen hat die Staatsanwaltschaft Zwickau am 3. Juli 2020 einen Server in einem Rechenzentrum in Falkenstein (Vogtland) sichergestellt, bei dem davon auszugehen ist, dass er von Personen, die im Internet unter dem Namen „Distributed Denial of Secrets (DDosecrets)“ auftreten, genutzt wurde.
Zum Inhalt des US-amerikanischen Verfahrens werden von hier aus keine Auskünfte erteilt. Bei der Sicherstellung handelt es sich um eine vorläufige Maßnahme im Rahmen der internationalen Rechtshilfe in Strafsachen. Nach Eingang des offiziellen US-amerikanischen Rechtshilfeersuchens wird eine Prüfung erfolgen, ob und in welchem Umfang eine gerichtliche Beschlagnahme von Daten mit dem Zweck der Herausgabe als Beweismittel an die US-Behörden in Betracht kommt.
Für die Bewilligung der Rechtshilfe, das heißt für die Entscheidung, ob tatsächlich Beweismittel an die USA herausgegeben werden, ist das Bundesamt für Justiz zuständig.
A translated version of the statement reads:
Due to a US request for preliminary security in the context of international mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, the Zwickau public prosecutor secured a server in a data center in Falkenstein (Vogtland) on July 3, 2020 The name "Distributed Denial of Secrets (DDosecrets)" was used.
No information is provided from here on the content of the US proceedings. The seizure is a provisional measure within the framework of international mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. After receipt of the official US request for legal assistance, a review will be carried out to determine whether and to what extent a judicial seizure of data for the purpose of surrendering it to the US authorities as evidence is possible.
The Federal Office of Justice is responsible for granting legal assistance, i.e. for deciding whether evidence will actually be released to the USA.
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 15 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Emma North-Best
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following DC Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Dec. 27, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following DC Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Dec. 27, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following DC Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Dec. 27, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: National Capital Region Threat Intelligence Consortium
Dear Emma Best,
This email serves as final response to your FOIA requested, dated December 27, 2020, in which you seek:
“Records (including but not limited to emails, reports, briefs, documents, memos, or recordings) mentioning or describing the seizure of a server in Germany containing the Hunter Memorial Library and the BlueLeaks portal operated by Distributed Denial of Secrets.”
It is the public policy of the District of Columbia that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and employees. The DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency does not have records responsive to your request.
As such, your request has been closed.
If, for any reason, you interpret this to be a denial of your request, please also know that, under D.C. Official Code § 2-537 and 1 DCMR 412, you have the right to appeal this letter to the Mayor or to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. If you elect to appeal to the Mayor, your appeal must be in writing and contain “Freedom of Information Act Appeal” or “FOIA Appeal” in the subject line of the letter as well on the outside of the envelope. The appeal must include (1) a copy of the original request; (2) a copy of any written denial; (3) a statement of the circumstances, reasons, and/or arguments advanced in support of disclosure; and (4) a daytime telephone number, and e-mail and/or U.S. Mail address at which you can be reached. The appeal must be mailed to: The Mayor’s Correspondence Unit, FOIA Appeal, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 316, Washington, D.C. 20004. Electronic versions of the same information can instead be e-mailed to The Mayor’s Correspondence Unit at foia.mayor@dc.gov<mailto:foia.mayor@dc.gov>. Further, a copy of all appeal materials must be forward to the Freedom of Information Officer of the involved agency or to the agency head of that agency if there is no designated Freedom of Information Officer there. Failure to follow these administrative steps will result in delay in the processing and commencement of a response to your appeal to the Mayor.
If you have any questions regarding your request, you can contact me at this email address.
Thank you,
WHITNEY BOWEN ABRAMS
FOIA Officer
Mobile: 202-594-7430
hsema.foia@dc.gov<mailto:hsema.foia@dc.gov>
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