What is FOIA request ?
A FOIA Request is an official request for access to documents held by the U.S. federal government. This right is granted under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), a law passed in 1966 to promote transparency and public accountability.
In practical terms, a FOIA request can be used to obtain documents such as:
- government reports,
- official emails,
- photos or videos taken by authorities,
- and even audio recordings.
E-FOIA: The Digital Version
In 1996, FOIA was modernized with the Electronic FOIA (E-FOIA) amendment. The goal: to facilitate access to information in the Internet era.
What E-FOIA changed:
- Online submission of requests
- Documents delivered in digital formats
- Public availability of certain files without needing to request them
- Shorter response times
Use Case: Anonymizing Sensitive Data via FOIA
When someone files a FOIA request involving photos or videos (e.g., bodycams, drones, public surveillance…), the documents received may contain:
- identifiable faces,
- license plates,
- or other personal information.
👉 That’s where BlurIt comes into play.
BlurIt and FOIA Documents: Best Practice
BlurIt is an redaction software designed to automatically blur faces and license plates in:
- images,
- videos,
Why use BlurIt with FOIA files?
- Protect privacy
- Ensure GDPR/FOIA compliance
- Fast and secure processing of large volumes
- Maintain integrity of the modified documents
💡 Example: A journalist or lawyer receives sensitive images via FOIA. Before public release or analysis, they can use BlurIt to ensure anonymization while preserving the informational value of the content.
How to File a FOIA Request
- Identify the agency that holds the information (e.g., FBI, EPA, etc.)
- Visit its official website – look for the FOIA or E-FOIA section
- Submit your request via an online form or email
- Download the documents once processed
- Use BlurIt to anonymize sensitive content before sharing or publishing
Why is this useful for you?
Whether you’re a journalist, researcher, lawyer, or engaged citizen, FOIA is a powerful transparency tool. And with BlurIt, you can protect individuals while leveraging the visual data obtained.
