Ensuring Effective Portal Communication with Requesters: Even When They’re on Vacation!

By Kimberlee N. Ried, FOIA Ombudsman, May 10, 2023

OGIS has observed recently that agencies are increasingly using portals to send response letters and records to requesters. OGIS applauds this approach as portals are faster than U.S. postal mail and more secure than email. However, OGIS encourages agencies to consider the length of time requesters have to access these letters and responsive records. We recently heard from a requester who was on vacation and when they returned, they were unable to access the agency’s FOIA response letter and responsive records which had been available in the portal for 10 days.

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