Wyden Questions FBI on Requirement for ID from FOIA Requesters

Until now, most people requesting information under the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) did not have to prove who they were. But a new online FOIA portal being tested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is requiring requesters to provide government-issued IDs.

That brought a letter seeking explanation from Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). Wyden wrote FBI Director James Comey that he had a "strong concern" about the policy, and said there was no basis for it in statute or case law.

FOIA does require people to sign a letter verifying who they are when they are requesting records about themselves.

• "Sen. Wyden Questions FBI on FOIA ID Requirement," FedScoop, December 15, 2015, by Greg Otto.
• "Exclusive: The FBI Wants Your ID If You Want Their Information," FedScoop, December 1, 2015, by Greg Otto.