30-05-2005 12:32									#1
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Given that the server is based in the states? Do you think we could use the US Freedom of Information Act to force the admins to publish the logs?

	30-05-2005 12:39									#2
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without knowing much about US laws, in fact with knowledge based solely on watching Law & Order, i would thing the Freed of Information Act is about state data

	30-05-2005 12:45									#3
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The UK act applies to all public bodies which is very widely interpreted. Given your status as the worlds premier civ site, I suspect you would qualify as a public body in the UK.

Anyway, you would have to release extracts under the Data Protection Act.

Any hotshot US lawyers know the answer to this?

	30-05-2005 12:47									#4
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Indeed, the FOIA's purpose is solely to maintain open government. It doesn't affect Apolyton.

	30-05-2005 12:49									#5
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Here's a good blurb on it from the Department of Justice:
http://www.usdoj.gov/04foia/

quote: Like all federal agencies, the Department of Justice (DOJ) generally is required under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to disclose records requested in writing by any person. However, agencies may withhold information pursuant to nine exemptions and three exclusions contained in the statute. The FOIA applies only to federal agencies and does not create a right of access to records held by Congress, the courts, or by state or local government agencies. Each state has its own public access laws that should be consulted for access to state and local records.

	30-05-2005 12:52									#6
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quote: Originally posted by spartak Given that the server is based in the states? Do you think we could use the US Freedom of Information Act to force the admins to publish the logs?

You'd wish...

I'm no expert on US laws, but I think the American Freedom of Information Act only applies to government agencies, not private organisations.

I'm aware of a similar UK act which does apply to private organisations, but they are only obliged to disclose information that applies to the individual that requests it. I.o.w. you can ask if and why you were banned yourself, but not about other people.

Even without knowing the details it's obvious that neither Act would requires all organisations to disclose all their information. Information is probably the most valuable commodity of our time, that would effectively be enforcing sort of a post-modern communism.

I'm sure some people would like to see such a thing, but that just isn't going to happen...

	30-05-2005 12:59									#7
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I think you are confusing the UK Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act.

	30-05-2005 13:08									#8
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quote: Originally posted by spartak I think you are confusing the UK Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act.

Quick Googling shows you're right. The two complement each other and are easy to confuse for a complete outsider. Yet the FOIA too only applies to "public authorities and companies that are wholly owned by public".

If Britain had dediced to implement informational communism I'm sure I, as someone who studies Information Science, would've heard about it

	30-05-2005 13:14									#9
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quote: Originally posted by spartak The UK act applies to all public bodies which is very widely interpreted. Given your status as the worlds premier civ site, I suspect you would qualify as a public body in the UK. Anyway, you would have to release extracts under the Data Protection Act.

They certainly would, but that Act has no power over information held in the US by an American body.

	30-05-2005 13:51									#10
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Yes I know. I was just providing an example to illustrate my ignorance and for all I knew the UK act was based onm the US act.

After all the US is the only country that actively exports their laws to other sovereign states.

	30-05-2005 13:58									#11
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i think we solved this...

i'm transfering the thread to OT in case you want to continue this incredibly interesting discussion on the differences and similarities of the acts in the UK and US

	30-05-2005 14:04									#12
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quote: Originally posted by spartak Yes I know. I was just providing an example to illustrate my ignorance and for all I knew the UK act was based onm the US act. After all the US is the only country that actively exports their laws to other sovereign states.

Well, we got bored with exporting burgers, expressos, and Pop Divas so we broadened our horizons.

	30-05-2005 15:41									#13
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I love a troll, don't you

	06-06-2005 18:57									#14
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Sparky's on a roll.