4 ms·

Hang on, how is it a defense to say that? Can a startup, or any other organisation, also say that? "Oh sorry, we don't have a search facility, so we cant act on

• mgkimsal 13y ago
  FWICT they haven't been taken to court over it, yet, anyway. It was a FOIA request. The requestor should probably take it to court to push the issue, but it's likely a big cost to do so.
• tehwalrus 13y ago
  A defense against FOI requests is that it would cost too much to collect the data - the logic being that companies/governments shouldn't be legally obliged to spend significant money just because someone put in an awkward request. Of course, in this case, I still think they should reallocate some of the their budget and upgrade the email system :/
  • wavefunction 13y ago
    FOIA requests over a certain threshold require the requester to pay fees, so certainly the "cost" of a FOIA request can be passed along. I'm skeptical about the problems the NSA has with searching emails, since they could probably just install some of their own tools on their email servers to index and collate. I have a feeling its more of a political lack of will rather than technological. These folks want scrutiny into everyone else, not themselves.
    • tehwalrus 13y ago
      I agree, I'm sure that is a big factor here! I was just emphasising the usual excuse for ignoring FOI requests.