Unit 1 - FOIA & PA

Question 1

What 2 things govern Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Answer 1

5 USC ; 552 and DoDM 5400.07_AFMAN 33-302, Freedom of Information Act Program

Question 2

The FOIA process begins when a written request for information is sent to…

Answer 2

The base FOIA office

Question 3

Who tracks all FOIA requests and forwards them to the office of primary responsibility (OPR) for initial review?

Answer 3

FOIA Monitor

Question 4

The unit that maintains the records being requested is called what?

Answer 4

OPR (office of primary reaponsibility)

Question 5

Who reviews FOIA requests, recommends what documents apply to request, and recommends redactions that should be made?

Answer 5

OPR

Question 6

Is a legal review necessary if the OPR is recommending denial of any requested information?

Answer 6

Yes

Question 7

If the legal office recommends denial of a request, who is the entire file forwarded to?

Answer 7

IDA (Initial Denial Authority)

Question 8

Who is typically the IDA (Initial Denial Authority)?

Answer 8

Wing CC or Vice CC

Question 9

True or False… IDA responsibilities can be delegated to a GS-12 and above or an O-3 and above

Answer 9

False (GS-13 and above or O-4 and above)

Question 10

How many days from the FOIA office receiving an FOIA request does the IDA need to issue a decision?

Answer 10

20 working days

Question 11

What happens if the IDA does not issue a decision on the FOIA request in the required timeframe?

Answer 11

IDA informs the requestor a reason for the delay

Question 12

How many TOTAL exemptions fall under FOIA?

Answer 12

9

Question 13

What FOIA exemption prohibits the release of classified information?

Answer 13

Exemption (b)(1)

Question 14

What FOIA exemption states records related solely to an agency’s internal personnel rules and practices do not have to be released?

Answer 14

Exemption (b)(2)

Question 15

What FOIA exemption limits the release of information specifically exempted from disclosure by statute?

Answer 15

Exemption (b)(3)

Question 16

What FOIA exemption protects information from being released when it would clearly be an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy?

Answer 16

Exemption (b)(6)

Question 17

What FOIA exemption withholds information compiled for law enforcement purposes that could interfer with enforcement proceeedings?

Answer 17

Exemption (b)(7)(A)

Question 18

What is the primary purpose of the privacy act?

Answer 18

To limit the government’s ability to collect information about an individual

Question 19

What are 5 common records that PA applies to?

Answer 19

Education, financial, medical, criminal, and employment

Question 20

True or false… the Privacy Act of 1974 applies to federal and state agencies.

Answer 20

False. Federal agencies only

Question 21

How many exceptions are there to the Privacy Act’s “no disclosure without consent” rule?

Answer 21

12

Question 22

In the legal office, the most common reason PA information can be released w/o the individual’s consent is when a request is made for what?

Answer 22

Civil or criminal enforcement activity

Question 23

What AFI falls under the Privacy Act of 1974?

Answer 23

AFI 33-332

Question 24

True or False…an individual may file a criminal lawsuit against the Air Force for failing to comply with the Privacy Act

Answer 24

False. Civil lawsuit

Question 25

What punishment could an individual who unlawfully releases PA information face?

Answer 25

Misdemeanor and fined no more than $5K