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Is it? I thought only searches of the database were available that way? Like, the history of queries, not the raw data. I don't think FOIA requests can be used
by try_the_bass 10mo ago
Is it? I thought only searches of the database were available that way? Like, the history of queries, not the raw data.
I don't think FOIA requests can be used to run your own searches of these databases.
- rationalist 10mo agoSubmit a FOIA for a specific area and time, and you can get all of the raw data for that, then you can do your own searches. You generally cannot submit a FOIA for all of the data.
- try_the_bass 10mo agoI don't think this is true. Do you have some sources for this?
- reaperducer 10mo agoJournalists do this all the time. We used to get big 9-track reels of data where I worked.
- try_the_bass 10mo agoThe reason I'm skeptical of this, in this particular case, is because the data here isn't actually owned by the police/government (I think?), it's owned by Flock. A department can search the data for given attributes, but I don't think they have the whole data set to provide as a response to a FOIA request in the first place.
- thunderfork 10mo agoI don't have a source on hand but I do remember seeing a recent case on this stuff that indicated that "even if they're paying Flock to store it, it's still the government's data"
- iamnothere 10mo agoIn Washington it is true: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/11/washington-court-rules-data-captured-flock-safety-cameras-are-public-records https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/11/washington-court-rules...
- try_the_bass 10mo agoNeat, thanks for the source!