diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'app')
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/about.en.rhtml | 51 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/about.es.rhtml | 1 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/about.rhtml | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/about.sr.rhtml | 51 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/contact.en.rhtml | 105 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/contact.sr.rhtml | 105 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/credits.en.rhtml | 90 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/credits.sr.rhtml | 90 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/officers.en.rhtml | 245 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/officers.sr.rhtml | 245 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/privacy.en.rhtml | 184 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/privacy.sr.rhtml | 184 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/requesting.en.rhtml | 293 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/requesting.rhtml | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/requesting.sr.rhtml | 293 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/unhappy.en.rhtml | 110 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/unhappy.sr.rhtml | 110 |
17 files changed, 2159 insertions, 4 deletions
diff --git a/app/views/help/about.en.rhtml b/app/views/help/about.en.rhtml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..89a67d069 --- /dev/null +++ b/app/views/help/about.en.rhtml @@ -0,0 +1,51 @@ +<% @title = "About" %> + +<%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> + +<h1 id="introduction">Introduction to WhatDoTheyKnow <a href="#introduction">#</a> </h1> +<dl> + +<dt id="purpose">What is WhatDoTheyKnow for? <a href="#purpose">#</a> </dt> +<dd>To help you find out inside information about what the UK government +is doing. +</dd> + +<dt id="premise">How does the site work? <a href="#premise">#</a> </dt> +<dd>You choose the public authority that you would like information from, then +write a brief note describing what you want to know. We then send your request +to the public authority. Any response they make is automatically published on the +website for you and anyone else to find and read. +</dd> + +<dt id="whybother_me">Why would I bother to do this? <a href="#whybother_me">#</a> </dt> +<dd>You pay taxes, and then government does things with the money. All sorts of +things that affect your life, from healthcare through to national defence. Some +it does badly, some it does well. The more we find out about how government +works, the better able we are to make suggestions to improve the things that +are done badly, and to celebrate the things that are done well. +</dd> + +<dt id="whybother_them">Why would the public authority bother to reply? <a href="#whybother_them">#</a> </dt> +<dd>Under Freedom of Information (FOI) law, they have to respond. The response +will either contain the information you want, or give a valid legal reason why +it must be kept confidential. +</dd> + +<dt id="who">Who makes WhatDoTheyKnow? <a href="#who">#</a> </dt> +<dd>WhatDoTheyKnow is created and run by <a href="http://www.mysociety.org">mySociety</a>, +and was initially <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/2006/12/06/funding-for-freedom-of-information/">funded by the JRSST Charitable Trust</a>. mySociety is a project of the +registered charity <a href="http://www.ukcod.org.uk/UK_Citizens_Online_Democracy">UK Citizens Online Democracy</a>. +If you like what we're doing, then you can +<a href="https://secure.mysociety.org/donate/">make a donation</a>. +</dd> + +<dt id="updates">How can I keep up with news about WhatDoTheyKnow?<a href="#updates">#</a> </dt> +<dd>We have a <a href="/blog">blog</a> and a <a href="http://www.twitter.com/whatdotheyknow">twitter feed</a>. +</dd> + + +</dl> + +<p><strong>Next</strong>, read about <a href="/help/requesting">making requests</a> --> + +<div id="hash_link_padding"></div> diff --git a/app/views/help/about.es.rhtml b/app/views/help/about.es.rhtml index 721a582aa..dc6079cd2 100644 --- a/app/views/help/about.es.rhtml +++ b/app/views/help/about.es.rhtml @@ -7,4 +7,3 @@ <p>Esta sito tu aidare a faire los requesti a la governmenti Seblano</p> <div id="hash_link_padding"></div> - diff --git a/app/views/help/about.rhtml b/app/views/help/about.rhtml index 89a67d069..741aa7c33 100644 --- a/app/views/help/about.rhtml +++ b/app/views/help/about.rhtml @@ -1,8 +1,8 @@ -<% @title = "About" %> +<% @title = "Rreth nesh" %> <%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> -<h1 id="introduction">Introduction to WhatDoTheyKnow <a href="#introduction">#</a> </h1> +<h1 id="introduction">Hyrje ne Informata Zyrtare <a href="#introduction">#</a> </h1> <dl> <dt id="purpose">What is WhatDoTheyKnow for? <a href="#purpose">#</a> </dt> diff --git a/app/views/help/about.sr.rhtml b/app/views/help/about.sr.rhtml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..89a67d069 --- /dev/null +++ b/app/views/help/about.sr.rhtml @@ -0,0 +1,51 @@ +<% @title = "About" %> + +<%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> + +<h1 id="introduction">Introduction to WhatDoTheyKnow <a href="#introduction">#</a> </h1> +<dl> + +<dt id="purpose">What is WhatDoTheyKnow for? <a href="#purpose">#</a> </dt> +<dd>To help you find out inside information about what the UK government +is doing. +</dd> + +<dt id="premise">How does the site work? <a href="#premise">#</a> </dt> +<dd>You choose the public authority that you would like information from, then +write a brief note describing what you want to know. We then send your request +to the public authority. Any response they make is automatically published on the +website for you and anyone else to find and read. +</dd> + +<dt id="whybother_me">Why would I bother to do this? <a href="#whybother_me">#</a> </dt> +<dd>You pay taxes, and then government does things with the money. All sorts of +things that affect your life, from healthcare through to national defence. Some +it does badly, some it does well. The more we find out about how government +works, the better able we are to make suggestions to improve the things that +are done badly, and to celebrate the things that are done well. +</dd> + +<dt id="whybother_them">Why would the public authority bother to reply? <a href="#whybother_them">#</a> </dt> +<dd>Under Freedom of Information (FOI) law, they have to respond. The response +will either contain the information you want, or give a valid legal reason why +it must be kept confidential. +</dd> + +<dt id="who">Who makes WhatDoTheyKnow? <a href="#who">#</a> </dt> +<dd>WhatDoTheyKnow is created and run by <a href="http://www.mysociety.org">mySociety</a>, +and was initially <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/2006/12/06/funding-for-freedom-of-information/">funded by the JRSST Charitable Trust</a>. mySociety is a project of the +registered charity <a href="http://www.ukcod.org.uk/UK_Citizens_Online_Democracy">UK Citizens Online Democracy</a>. +If you like what we're doing, then you can +<a href="https://secure.mysociety.org/donate/">make a donation</a>. +</dd> + +<dt id="updates">How can I keep up with news about WhatDoTheyKnow?<a href="#updates">#</a> </dt> +<dd>We have a <a href="/blog">blog</a> and a <a href="http://www.twitter.com/whatdotheyknow">twitter feed</a>. +</dd> + + +</dl> + +<p><strong>Next</strong>, read about <a href="/help/requesting">making requests</a> --> + +<div id="hash_link_padding"></div> diff --git a/app/views/help/contact.en.rhtml b/app/views/help/contact.en.rhtml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..9dd4d4106 --- /dev/null +++ b/app/views/help/contact.en.rhtml @@ -0,0 +1,105 @@ +<% @title = "Contact us" %> + +<%= foi_error_messages_for :contact %> + +<div id="contact_preamble"> + + <% if !flash[:notice] %> + <h1>Contact an authority to get official information</h1> + <ul> + <li><a href="/new">Go here</a> to make a request, in public, for information + from UK public authorities.</li> + + <li> + Asking for private information about yourself? + Please read our help page about + <a href="/help/requesting#data_protection">data protection</a>. + </li> + </ul> + + <h1>Take up an issue with Government</h1> + + <ul> + <li><a href="http://www.writetothem.com">Write to your MP, + local councillor or other representative</a>. + <li><a href="http://www.number10.gov.uk/">Number 10</a> is a good place to start if you would like to take an issue up with central government. </li> + </ul> + + + <% end %> + + <h1>Contact the WhatDoTheyKnow team</h1> + <% if !flash[:notice] %> + <ul> + <li> + Please read the <a href="/help/about">help page</a> first, as it may + answer your question quicker. + </li> + + <li>We'd love to hear how you've found using this site. + Either fill in this form, or send an email to <a + href="mailto:<%=@contact_email%>"><%=@contact_email%></a> + </li> + + <li>We are a <strong>charity</strong> and not part of the + Government.</li> + </ul> + <% end %> +</div> + +<% form_for :contact do |f| %> + + <% if not @user %> + <p> + <label class="form_label" for="contact_name">Your name:</label> + <%= f.text_field :name, :size => 20 %> + (or <%= link_to "sign in", signin_url(:r => request.request_uri) %>) + </p> + + <p> + <label class="form_label" for="contact_email">Your email:</label> + <%= f.text_field :email, :size => 20 %> + </p> + <% end %> + + <p> + <label class="form_label" for="contact_subject">Subject:</label> + <%= f.text_field :subject, :size => 50 %> + </p> + + <p> + <label class="form_label" for="contact_message">Message to website:</label> + <%= f.text_area :message, :rows => 10, :cols => 60 %> + </p> + + <% if !@last_request.nil? %> + <p> + <label class="form_label" for="contact_message">Include link to request:</label> + <%=request_link(@last_request) %> + <%= submit_tag "remove", :name => 'remove' %> + </p> + <% end %> + <% if !@last_body.nil? %> + <p> + <label class="form_label" for="contact_message">Include link to authority:</label> + <%=public_body_link(@last_body) %> + <%= submit_tag "remove", :name => 'remove' %> + </p> + <% end %> + + <p class="form_note"> + We can only help you with <strong>technical problems</strong>, or questions + about Freedom of Information. See the top of this page if you would like to + contact the Government. + </P> + + + <div class="form_button"> + <%= hidden_field_tag(:submitted_contact_form, 1) %> + <%= submit_tag "Send message to the charity" %> + <-- we run this site, not the Government! + </div> + +<% end %> + + diff --git a/app/views/help/contact.sr.rhtml b/app/views/help/contact.sr.rhtml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..1f50a46f0 --- /dev/null +++ b/app/views/help/contact.sr.rhtml @@ -0,0 +1,105 @@ +<% @title = "Contact us - sr" %> + +<%= foi_error_messages_for :contact %> + +<div id="contact_preamble"> + + <% if !flash[:notice] %> + <h1>Contact an authority to get official information</h1> + <ul> + <li><a href="/new">Go here</a> to make a request, in public, for information + from UK public authorities.</li> + + <li> + Asking for private information about yourself? + Please read our help page about + <a href="/help/requesting#data_protection">data protection</a>. + </li> + </ul> + + <h1>Take up an issue with Government</h1> + + <ul> + <li><a href="http://www.writetothem.com">Write to your MP, + local councillor or other representative</a>. + <li><a href="http://www.number10.gov.uk/">Number 10</a> is a good place to start if you would like to take an issue up with central government. </li> + </ul> + + + <% end %> + + <h1>Contact the WhatDoTheyKnow team</h1> + <% if !flash[:notice] %> + <ul> + <li> + Please read the <a href="/help/about">help page</a> first, as it may + answer your question quicker. + </li> + + <li>We'd love to hear how you've found using this site. + Either fill in this form, or send an email to <a + href="mailto:<%=@contact_email%>"><%=@contact_email%></a> + </li> + + <li>We are a <strong>charity</strong> and not part of the + Government.</li> + </ul> + <% end %> +</div> + +<% form_for :contact do |f| %> + + <% if not @user %> + <p> + <label class="form_label" for="contact_name">Your name:</label> + <%= f.text_field :name, :size => 20 %> + (or <%= link_to "sign in", signin_url(:r => request.request_uri) %>) + </p> + + <p> + <label class="form_label" for="contact_email">Your email:</label> + <%= f.text_field :email, :size => 20 %> + </p> + <% end %> + + <p> + <label class="form_label" for="contact_subject">Subject:</label> + <%= f.text_field :subject, :size => 50 %> + </p> + + <p> + <label class="form_label" for="contact_message">Message to website:</label> + <%= f.text_area :message, :rows => 10, :cols => 60 %> + </p> + + <% if !@last_request.nil? %> + <p> + <label class="form_label" for="contact_message">Include link to request:</label> + <%=request_link(@last_request) %> + <%= submit_tag "remove", :name => 'remove' %> + </p> + <% end %> + <% if !@last_body.nil? %> + <p> + <label class="form_label" for="contact_message">Include link to authority:</label> + <%=public_body_link(@last_body) %> + <%= submit_tag "remove", :name => 'remove' %> + </p> + <% end %> + + <p class="form_note"> + We can only help you with <strong>technical problems</strong>, or questions + about Freedom of Information. See the top of this page if you would like to + contact the Government. + </P> + + + <div class="form_button"> + <%= hidden_field_tag(:submitted_contact_form, 1) %> + <%= submit_tag "Send message to the charity" %> + <-- we run this site, not the Government! + </div> + +<% end %> + + diff --git a/app/views/help/credits.en.rhtml b/app/views/help/credits.en.rhtml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..ce7b5f123 --- /dev/null +++ b/app/views/help/credits.en.rhtml @@ -0,0 +1,90 @@ +<% @title = "Credit where credit is due" %> + +<%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> + +<h1 id="credits"><%= @title%> <a href="#credits">#</a> </h1> + +<dl> + +<dt id="thanks">Which people made WhatDoTheyKnow? <a href="#thanks">#</a> </dt> +<dd>Oh, nearly everyone (and <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/helpus">maybe you too</a>)! +<ul> +<li> + <a href="http://www.yrtk.org">Heather Brooke</a> + (<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/mar/29/houseofcommons.michaelmartin?gusrc=rss&feed=worldnews">vampy!</a>) has + been pushing the idea of a UK FOI archive for years now. +</li> +<li> + Both Phil Rodgers and <a href="http://www.flourish.org/blog/">Francis Irving</a> + entered it in a mySociety competition for ideas for public interest websites to build. +</li> +<li> + <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/2006/09/27/the-mysociety-call-for-proposals-the-winner-and-runners-up/">It won</a>, + and then Chris Lightfoot (<a href="http://mk.ucant.org/archives/000129.html">RIP :(</a>) + thought up the wheeze of intercepting email responses to requests and + automatically publishing them. +</li> +<li> + Tom Steinberg got the cash to pay for the site from + <a href="http://www.jrrt.org.uk/">a dead chocolate mogul</a> (<em>thank you!</em>) ... +</li> +<li> + ... so that Francis Irving, Angie Ahl, Tommy Martin, Louise Crow, Matthew Somerville + and Tom Steinberg could do the complex mixture of design and coding to build + what you see today. +</li> +<li> + Thanks particularly to Julian Todd (<a href="http://www.freesteel.co.uk/wpblog/">great blog!</a>), + Francis Davey, and Etienne Pollard for using the site early on and giving + feedback (and/or legal advice!), and also to all our other users and + testers. +</li> +<li> + The amazing team of volunteers who run the site, answer your support + emails, maintain the database of public authorities and + <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/2009/10/13/behind-whatdotheyknow/">so much more</a>. + Thanks to John Cross, Ben Harris, Adam McGreggor, Alex Skene, + Richard Taylor. +</li> +<li> + Volunteers who have provided patches to the code - thanks Peter Collingbourne + and Tony Bowden. +</li> +<li> + Everyone who has helped look up FOI email addresses. +</li> +<li> + We couldn't do any of this without those + <a href="http://www.ukcod.org.uk/UKCOD_Trustees">crazy people</a> who volunteer, + amongst many other things, to do the accounts and fill in our VAT return. +</li> +<li> + Finally, all the officers and servants who have answered the many requests + made through the site. Their diligence, patience and professionalism is + what has actually made the information that you see here. Thank them for + helping make Government more transparent. +</li> +</ul> +You're all stars. +</dd> + +<dt id="helpus">Can I help out? <a href="#helpus">#</a> </dt> +<dd> + <p>Yes please! We're built out of our supporters and volunteers.</p> + <ul> + <li>You can <a href="https://secure.mysociety.org/donate/">make a donation</a>. We're a registered charity.</li> + <li>Help people find successful requests, and monitor performance of authorities, by + <a href="/categorise/play">playing the categorisation game</a>. </li> + <li>Find out FOI email addresses of <a href="/help/requesting#missing_body">authorities that we're missing</a>.</li> + <li>Write a blog post about either WhatDoTheyKnow or an interesting request that you've + found. Post about it on a forum that you frequent. Tell friends about it.</li> <li>If you're + a programmer, get the source code for our parent project, <a href="http://alaveteli.org">Alaveteli</a> + and tell us about patches we can pull. It's made in Ruby on Rails. + <li>Read more about <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/helpus/">volunteering with mySociety</a>. + </ul> +</dd> + + +<div id="hash_link_padding"></div> + + diff --git a/app/views/help/credits.sr.rhtml b/app/views/help/credits.sr.rhtml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..ce7b5f123 --- /dev/null +++ b/app/views/help/credits.sr.rhtml @@ -0,0 +1,90 @@ +<% @title = "Credit where credit is due" %> + +<%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> + +<h1 id="credits"><%= @title%> <a href="#credits">#</a> </h1> + +<dl> + +<dt id="thanks">Which people made WhatDoTheyKnow? <a href="#thanks">#</a> </dt> +<dd>Oh, nearly everyone (and <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/helpus">maybe you too</a>)! +<ul> +<li> + <a href="http://www.yrtk.org">Heather Brooke</a> + (<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/mar/29/houseofcommons.michaelmartin?gusrc=rss&feed=worldnews">vampy!</a>) has + been pushing the idea of a UK FOI archive for years now. +</li> +<li> + Both Phil Rodgers and <a href="http://www.flourish.org/blog/">Francis Irving</a> + entered it in a mySociety competition for ideas for public interest websites to build. +</li> +<li> + <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/2006/09/27/the-mysociety-call-for-proposals-the-winner-and-runners-up/">It won</a>, + and then Chris Lightfoot (<a href="http://mk.ucant.org/archives/000129.html">RIP :(</a>) + thought up the wheeze of intercepting email responses to requests and + automatically publishing them. +</li> +<li> + Tom Steinberg got the cash to pay for the site from + <a href="http://www.jrrt.org.uk/">a dead chocolate mogul</a> (<em>thank you!</em>) ... +</li> +<li> + ... so that Francis Irving, Angie Ahl, Tommy Martin, Louise Crow, Matthew Somerville + and Tom Steinberg could do the complex mixture of design and coding to build + what you see today. +</li> +<li> + Thanks particularly to Julian Todd (<a href="http://www.freesteel.co.uk/wpblog/">great blog!</a>), + Francis Davey, and Etienne Pollard for using the site early on and giving + feedback (and/or legal advice!), and also to all our other users and + testers. +</li> +<li> + The amazing team of volunteers who run the site, answer your support + emails, maintain the database of public authorities and + <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/2009/10/13/behind-whatdotheyknow/">so much more</a>. + Thanks to John Cross, Ben Harris, Adam McGreggor, Alex Skene, + Richard Taylor. +</li> +<li> + Volunteers who have provided patches to the code - thanks Peter Collingbourne + and Tony Bowden. +</li> +<li> + Everyone who has helped look up FOI email addresses. +</li> +<li> + We couldn't do any of this without those + <a href="http://www.ukcod.org.uk/UKCOD_Trustees">crazy people</a> who volunteer, + amongst many other things, to do the accounts and fill in our VAT return. +</li> +<li> + Finally, all the officers and servants who have answered the many requests + made through the site. Their diligence, patience and professionalism is + what has actually made the information that you see here. Thank them for + helping make Government more transparent. +</li> +</ul> +You're all stars. +</dd> + +<dt id="helpus">Can I help out? <a href="#helpus">#</a> </dt> +<dd> + <p>Yes please! We're built out of our supporters and volunteers.</p> + <ul> + <li>You can <a href="https://secure.mysociety.org/donate/">make a donation</a>. We're a registered charity.</li> + <li>Help people find successful requests, and monitor performance of authorities, by + <a href="/categorise/play">playing the categorisation game</a>. </li> + <li>Find out FOI email addresses of <a href="/help/requesting#missing_body">authorities that we're missing</a>.</li> + <li>Write a blog post about either WhatDoTheyKnow or an interesting request that you've + found. Post about it on a forum that you frequent. Tell friends about it.</li> <li>If you're + a programmer, get the source code for our parent project, <a href="http://alaveteli.org">Alaveteli</a> + and tell us about patches we can pull. It's made in Ruby on Rails. + <li>Read more about <a href="http://www.mysociety.org/helpus/">volunteering with mySociety</a>. + </ul> +</dd> + + +<div id="hash_link_padding"></div> + + diff --git a/app/views/help/officers.en.rhtml b/app/views/help/officers.en.rhtml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..3b20ca31a --- /dev/null +++ b/app/views/help/officers.en.rhtml @@ -0,0 +1,245 @@ +<% @title = "FOI officer questions" %> + +<%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> + +<h1 id="officers"><%= @title %> <a href="#officers">#</a> </h1> + +<dl> + +<dt id="top">I just got here from bottom of an FOI request, what is going on? <a href="#top">#</a> </dt> + +<dd><p>WhatDoTheyKnow is a service run by a charity. It helps ordinary members +of the public make FOI requests, and easily track and share the responses.</p> + +<p>The FOI request you received was made by someone using WhatDoTheyKnow. You can +simply reply to the request as you would any other request from an individual. +The only difference is that your response will be automatically published on +the Internet. +</p> +<p>If you have privacy or other concerns, please read the answers below. +You might also like to read the <a +href="/help/about">introduction to WhatDoTheyKnow</a> to find out more about what +the site does from the point of view of a user. You can also search the +site to find the authority that you work for, and view the status of +any requests made using the site. + +<p>Finally, we welcome comments and +thoughts from FOI officers, please <a href="/help/contact">get in touch</a>. +</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="responses">Why are you publishing responses to FOI requests? <a href="#responses">#</a> </dt> + +<dd>We think there are lots of benefits. Most importantly it will encourage the +public to be more interested and involved in the work of government. We +also hope that it will reduce the number of duplicate requests on any +subject that a public body will receive. Given that Freedom of Information +responses contain public information, which anybody could easily request +again from the public authority, we think there should be no reason not to +publish it widely. +</dd> + +<dt id="realpeople">Are the people making requests real people? <a href="#realpeople">#</a> </dt> + +<dd>Yes. For the purposes of keeping track of responses we use +computer-generated email addresses for each request. However, before +they can send a request, each user must register on the site with a +unique email address that we then verify. You can search this site and +find a page listing all requests that each person has made. +</dd> + +<dt id="email_only">An email isn't a sufficient address for an FOI request! <a href="#email_only">#</a> </dt> + +<dd>Yes it is. This +<a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/1142/response/2894/attach/5/20080806100741260.pdf">letter from the ICO to Rother District Council</a> gives guidance on the matter, specifically +in the context of requests made via WhatDoTheyKnow. +</dd> + +<dt id="vexatious">Aren't you making lots of vexatious requests? <a href="#vexatious">#</a> </dt> + +<dd><p>WhatDoTheyKnow is not making any requests. We are sending requests on +behalf of our users, who are real people making the requests. </p> +<p>Look at it like this - if lots of different people made requests from +different Hotmail email addresses, then you would not think that Microsoft were +making vexatious requests. It is exactly the same if lots of requests are made +via WhatDoTheyKnow. Moreover, since all requests are public it is much easier +for you to see if one of our users is making vexatious requests. </p> +<p>If that isn't enough for you, the +<a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/1142/response/2894/attach/5/20080806100741260.pdf">letter from the ICO to Rother District Council</a> gives some guidance on the matter.</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="spam_problems">I can see a request on WhatDoTheyKnow, but we never got it by email!<a href="#spam_problems">#</a> </dt> + +<dd><p>If a request appears on the site, then we have attempted to send it to +the authority by email. Any delivery failure messages will automatically +appear on the site. You can check the address we're using with the "View FOI +email address" link which appears on the page for the authority. <a +href="/help/contact">Contact us</a> if there is a better address we can +use.</p> +<p>Requests are sometimes not delivered because they are quietly removed by +"spam filters" in the IT department of the authority. Authorities can make +sure this doesn't happen by asking their IT departments to "whitelist" +any email from <strong>@whatdotheyknow.com</strong>. +If you <a href="/help/contact">ask us</a> we will resend any request, +and/or give technical details of delivery so an IT department can chase +up what happened to the message. +</p> +<p>Finally, you can respond to any request from your web browser, without +needing any email, using the "respond to request" link at the bottom of +each request page. +</dd> + +<dt id="days">How do you calculate the deadline shown on request pages?<a href="#days">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>The Freedom of Information Act says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>A public authority must comply with section 1(1) <strong>promptly</strong> and +in any event not later than the twentieth working day following the date of +receipt.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The nerdy detail of exactly how weekends are counted, and what happens if +the request arrives out of office hours, is just that - detail. What matters +here is that the law says authorities must respond <strong>promptly</strong>.</p> + +<p>If you've got a good reason why the request is going to take a while to +process, requesters find it really helpful if you can send a quick email with a +sentence or two saying what is happening. </p> + +<p>FOI officers often have to do a lot of <strong>hard work</strong> to answer +requests, and this is hidden from the public. We think it would help everyone +to have more of that complexity visible.</p> + +</dd> + +<dt id="days2">But really, how do you calculate the deadline?<a href="#days2">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> + +<p>Please read the answer to the previous question first. Legally, authorities +must respond <strong>promptly</strong> to FOI requests. If they fail to do that, +it is best if they show the hard work they are doing by explaining what is +taking the extra time to do. +</p> + +<p>That said, WhatDoTheyKnow does show the maximum legal deadline +for response on each request. Here's how we calculate it.</p> + +<ul> + +<li>If the day we deliver the request by email is a working day, we count that +as "day zero", even if it was delivered late in the evening. Days end at +midnight. We then count the next working day as "day one", and so on up to +<strong>20 working days</strong>.</li> + +<li>If the day the request email was delivered was a non-working day, we count +the next working day as "day one". Delivery is delivery, even if it happened on +the weekend. Some authorities <a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/policy_regarding_body_scans#incoming-1100">disagree with this</a>, our lawyer disagrees with them. </li> + +<li>Requesters are encouraged to mark when they have <strong>clarified</strong> +their request so the clock resets, but sometimes they get this wrong. If you +see a problem with a particular request, let us know and we'll fix it.</li> +</ul> + +<p>The date thus calculated is shown on requests with the text "By law, +Liverpool City Council should normally have responded by...". There is only +one case which is not normal, see the next question about +<a href="#public_interest_test">public interest test time extensions</a>. +</p> + +<p>Schools are also a special case, which WhatDoTheyKnow displays differently. +</p> + +<ul> +<li>Since June 2009, <strong>schools</strong> have "20 working days +disregarding any working day which is not a school day, or 60 working days, +whichever is first" (<a href="http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2009/draft/ukdsi_9780111477632_en_1">FOI (Time for Compliance with Request) Regulations 2009</a>). WhatDoTheyKnow indicates on requests to schools that the 20 day deadline is only +during term time, and shows them as definitely overdue after 60 working days +</li> +</ul> + +<p>If you're getting really nerdy about all this, read the <a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/timeforcompliance.pdf">detailed ICO guidance</a>. +Meanwhile, remember that the law says authorities must respond +<strong>promptly</strong>. That's really what matters.</p> + +</dd> + +<dt id="public_interest_test">How do you reflect time extensions for public interest tests?<a href="#public_interest_test">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> + +<p>The Freedom of Information Act lets authorities claim an indefinite time +extension when applying a <strong>public interest test</strong>. Information +Commissioner guidance says that it should only be used in "exceptionally +complex" cases +(<a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/foi_good_practice_guidance_4.pdf">FOI Good Practice Guidance No. 4</a>). +WhatDoTheyKnow doesn't specifically handle this case, which is why we use the +phrase "should normally have responded by" when the 20 working day time is +exceeded. +</p> + +<p>The same guidance says that, even in exceptionally complex cases, no +Freedom of Information request should take more than <strong>40 working days</strong> +to answer. WhatDoTheyKnow displays requests which are overdue by that much +with stronger wording to indicate they are definitely late. +</p> + +<p>The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act does not allow such a public +interest extension. WhatDoTheyKnow would like to see the law changed to either +remove the extension from the UK Act, or to reintroduce an absolute time limit +of 40 working days even with the extension (the House of Lords <a +href="http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2000-10-17&number=1&house=lords">voted +to remove</a> provision for such a time limit during the initial passage +of the UK Act through Parliament). +</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="large_file">How can I send a large file, which won't go by email?<a href="#large_file">#</a> </dt> + +<dd>Instead of email, you can respond to a request directly from your web +browser, including uploading a file. To do this, choose "respond to request" at +the bottom of the request's page. <a href="/help/contact">Contact us</a> if it +is too big for even that (more than, say, 50Mb). +</dd> + +<dt id="names">Why do you publish the names of civil servants and the text of emails? <a href="#names">#</a> </dt> + +<dd>We consider what officers or servants do in the course of their employment +to be public information. We will only remove content in exceptional +circumstances, see our <a href="/help/privacy#takedown">take down policy</a>. +</dd> + +<dt id="mobiles">Do you publish email addresses or mobile phone numbers? <a href="#mobiles">#</a> </dt> + +<dd><p>To prevent spam, we automatically remove most emails and some mobile numbers from +responses to requests. Please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> if we've +missed one. +For technical reasons we don't always remove them from attachments, such as certain PDFs.</p> +<p>If you need to know what an address was that we've removed, please <a + href="/help/contact">get in touch with us</a>. Occasionally, an email address +forms an important part of a response and we will post it up in an obscured +form in an annotation. +</dd> + +<dt id="copyright"><a name="commercial"></a>What is your policy on copyright of documents?<a href="#copyright">#</a> </dt> + +<dd>Our Freedom of Information law is "applicant blind", so anyone in the +world can request the same document and get a copy of it. + +If you think our making a document available on the internet infringes your +copyright, you may <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> and ask us +to take it down. However, to save tax payers' money by preventing duplicate +requests, and for good public relations, we'd advise you not to do that. +</dd> + +</dl> + + +</dl> + +<p><strong>If you haven't already</strong>, read <a href="/help/about">the introduction</a> --> +<br><strong>Otherwise</strong>, the <a href="/help/credits">credits</a> or the <a href="/help/api">programmers API</a> --> + +<div id="hash_link_padding"></div> + + diff --git a/app/views/help/officers.sr.rhtml b/app/views/help/officers.sr.rhtml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..3b20ca31a --- /dev/null +++ b/app/views/help/officers.sr.rhtml @@ -0,0 +1,245 @@ +<% @title = "FOI officer questions" %> + +<%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> + +<h1 id="officers"><%= @title %> <a href="#officers">#</a> </h1> + +<dl> + +<dt id="top">I just got here from bottom of an FOI request, what is going on? <a href="#top">#</a> </dt> + +<dd><p>WhatDoTheyKnow is a service run by a charity. It helps ordinary members +of the public make FOI requests, and easily track and share the responses.</p> + +<p>The FOI request you received was made by someone using WhatDoTheyKnow. You can +simply reply to the request as you would any other request from an individual. +The only difference is that your response will be automatically published on +the Internet. +</p> +<p>If you have privacy or other concerns, please read the answers below. +You might also like to read the <a +href="/help/about">introduction to WhatDoTheyKnow</a> to find out more about what +the site does from the point of view of a user. You can also search the +site to find the authority that you work for, and view the status of +any requests made using the site. + +<p>Finally, we welcome comments and +thoughts from FOI officers, please <a href="/help/contact">get in touch</a>. +</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="responses">Why are you publishing responses to FOI requests? <a href="#responses">#</a> </dt> + +<dd>We think there are lots of benefits. Most importantly it will encourage the +public to be more interested and involved in the work of government. We +also hope that it will reduce the number of duplicate requests on any +subject that a public body will receive. Given that Freedom of Information +responses contain public information, which anybody could easily request +again from the public authority, we think there should be no reason not to +publish it widely. +</dd> + +<dt id="realpeople">Are the people making requests real people? <a href="#realpeople">#</a> </dt> + +<dd>Yes. For the purposes of keeping track of responses we use +computer-generated email addresses for each request. However, before +they can send a request, each user must register on the site with a +unique email address that we then verify. You can search this site and +find a page listing all requests that each person has made. +</dd> + +<dt id="email_only">An email isn't a sufficient address for an FOI request! <a href="#email_only">#</a> </dt> + +<dd>Yes it is. This +<a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/1142/response/2894/attach/5/20080806100741260.pdf">letter from the ICO to Rother District Council</a> gives guidance on the matter, specifically +in the context of requests made via WhatDoTheyKnow. +</dd> + +<dt id="vexatious">Aren't you making lots of vexatious requests? <a href="#vexatious">#</a> </dt> + +<dd><p>WhatDoTheyKnow is not making any requests. We are sending requests on +behalf of our users, who are real people making the requests. </p> +<p>Look at it like this - if lots of different people made requests from +different Hotmail email addresses, then you would not think that Microsoft were +making vexatious requests. It is exactly the same if lots of requests are made +via WhatDoTheyKnow. Moreover, since all requests are public it is much easier +for you to see if one of our users is making vexatious requests. </p> +<p>If that isn't enough for you, the +<a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/1142/response/2894/attach/5/20080806100741260.pdf">letter from the ICO to Rother District Council</a> gives some guidance on the matter.</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="spam_problems">I can see a request on WhatDoTheyKnow, but we never got it by email!<a href="#spam_problems">#</a> </dt> + +<dd><p>If a request appears on the site, then we have attempted to send it to +the authority by email. Any delivery failure messages will automatically +appear on the site. You can check the address we're using with the "View FOI +email address" link which appears on the page for the authority. <a +href="/help/contact">Contact us</a> if there is a better address we can +use.</p> +<p>Requests are sometimes not delivered because they are quietly removed by +"spam filters" in the IT department of the authority. Authorities can make +sure this doesn't happen by asking their IT departments to "whitelist" +any email from <strong>@whatdotheyknow.com</strong>. +If you <a href="/help/contact">ask us</a> we will resend any request, +and/or give technical details of delivery so an IT department can chase +up what happened to the message. +</p> +<p>Finally, you can respond to any request from your web browser, without +needing any email, using the "respond to request" link at the bottom of +each request page. +</dd> + +<dt id="days">How do you calculate the deadline shown on request pages?<a href="#days">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>The Freedom of Information Act says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>A public authority must comply with section 1(1) <strong>promptly</strong> and +in any event not later than the twentieth working day following the date of +receipt.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The nerdy detail of exactly how weekends are counted, and what happens if +the request arrives out of office hours, is just that - detail. What matters +here is that the law says authorities must respond <strong>promptly</strong>.</p> + +<p>If you've got a good reason why the request is going to take a while to +process, requesters find it really helpful if you can send a quick email with a +sentence or two saying what is happening. </p> + +<p>FOI officers often have to do a lot of <strong>hard work</strong> to answer +requests, and this is hidden from the public. We think it would help everyone +to have more of that complexity visible.</p> + +</dd> + +<dt id="days2">But really, how do you calculate the deadline?<a href="#days2">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> + +<p>Please read the answer to the previous question first. Legally, authorities +must respond <strong>promptly</strong> to FOI requests. If they fail to do that, +it is best if they show the hard work they are doing by explaining what is +taking the extra time to do. +</p> + +<p>That said, WhatDoTheyKnow does show the maximum legal deadline +for response on each request. Here's how we calculate it.</p> + +<ul> + +<li>If the day we deliver the request by email is a working day, we count that +as "day zero", even if it was delivered late in the evening. Days end at +midnight. We then count the next working day as "day one", and so on up to +<strong>20 working days</strong>.</li> + +<li>If the day the request email was delivered was a non-working day, we count +the next working day as "day one". Delivery is delivery, even if it happened on +the weekend. Some authorities <a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/policy_regarding_body_scans#incoming-1100">disagree with this</a>, our lawyer disagrees with them. </li> + +<li>Requesters are encouraged to mark when they have <strong>clarified</strong> +their request so the clock resets, but sometimes they get this wrong. If you +see a problem with a particular request, let us know and we'll fix it.</li> +</ul> + +<p>The date thus calculated is shown on requests with the text "By law, +Liverpool City Council should normally have responded by...". There is only +one case which is not normal, see the next question about +<a href="#public_interest_test">public interest test time extensions</a>. +</p> + +<p>Schools are also a special case, which WhatDoTheyKnow displays differently. +</p> + +<ul> +<li>Since June 2009, <strong>schools</strong> have "20 working days +disregarding any working day which is not a school day, or 60 working days, +whichever is first" (<a href="http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2009/draft/ukdsi_9780111477632_en_1">FOI (Time for Compliance with Request) Regulations 2009</a>). WhatDoTheyKnow indicates on requests to schools that the 20 day deadline is only +during term time, and shows them as definitely overdue after 60 working days +</li> +</ul> + +<p>If you're getting really nerdy about all this, read the <a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/timeforcompliance.pdf">detailed ICO guidance</a>. +Meanwhile, remember that the law says authorities must respond +<strong>promptly</strong>. That's really what matters.</p> + +</dd> + +<dt id="public_interest_test">How do you reflect time extensions for public interest tests?<a href="#public_interest_test">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> + +<p>The Freedom of Information Act lets authorities claim an indefinite time +extension when applying a <strong>public interest test</strong>. Information +Commissioner guidance says that it should only be used in "exceptionally +complex" cases +(<a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/foi_good_practice_guidance_4.pdf">FOI Good Practice Guidance No. 4</a>). +WhatDoTheyKnow doesn't specifically handle this case, which is why we use the +phrase "should normally have responded by" when the 20 working day time is +exceeded. +</p> + +<p>The same guidance says that, even in exceptionally complex cases, no +Freedom of Information request should take more than <strong>40 working days</strong> +to answer. WhatDoTheyKnow displays requests which are overdue by that much +with stronger wording to indicate they are definitely late. +</p> + +<p>The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act does not allow such a public +interest extension. WhatDoTheyKnow would like to see the law changed to either +remove the extension from the UK Act, or to reintroduce an absolute time limit +of 40 working days even with the extension (the House of Lords <a +href="http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2000-10-17&number=1&house=lords">voted +to remove</a> provision for such a time limit during the initial passage +of the UK Act through Parliament). +</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="large_file">How can I send a large file, which won't go by email?<a href="#large_file">#</a> </dt> + +<dd>Instead of email, you can respond to a request directly from your web +browser, including uploading a file. To do this, choose "respond to request" at +the bottom of the request's page. <a href="/help/contact">Contact us</a> if it +is too big for even that (more than, say, 50Mb). +</dd> + +<dt id="names">Why do you publish the names of civil servants and the text of emails? <a href="#names">#</a> </dt> + +<dd>We consider what officers or servants do in the course of their employment +to be public information. We will only remove content in exceptional +circumstances, see our <a href="/help/privacy#takedown">take down policy</a>. +</dd> + +<dt id="mobiles">Do you publish email addresses or mobile phone numbers? <a href="#mobiles">#</a> </dt> + +<dd><p>To prevent spam, we automatically remove most emails and some mobile numbers from +responses to requests. Please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> if we've +missed one. +For technical reasons we don't always remove them from attachments, such as certain PDFs.</p> +<p>If you need to know what an address was that we've removed, please <a + href="/help/contact">get in touch with us</a>. Occasionally, an email address +forms an important part of a response and we will post it up in an obscured +form in an annotation. +</dd> + +<dt id="copyright"><a name="commercial"></a>What is your policy on copyright of documents?<a href="#copyright">#</a> </dt> + +<dd>Our Freedom of Information law is "applicant blind", so anyone in the +world can request the same document and get a copy of it. + +If you think our making a document available on the internet infringes your +copyright, you may <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> and ask us +to take it down. However, to save tax payers' money by preventing duplicate +requests, and for good public relations, we'd advise you not to do that. +</dd> + +</dl> + + +</dl> + +<p><strong>If you haven't already</strong>, read <a href="/help/about">the introduction</a> --> +<br><strong>Otherwise</strong>, the <a href="/help/credits">credits</a> or the <a href="/help/api">programmers API</a> --> + +<div id="hash_link_padding"></div> + + diff --git a/app/views/help/privacy.en.rhtml b/app/views/help/privacy.en.rhtml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..001427181 --- /dev/null +++ b/app/views/help/privacy.en.rhtml @@ -0,0 +1,184 @@ +<% @title = "Your privacy" %> + +<%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> + +<h1 id="privacy"><%= @title %> <a href="#privacy">#</a> </h1> + +<dl> + +<dt id="email_address">Who gets to see my email address? <a href="#email_address">#</a> </dt> + +<dd><p>We will not disclose your email address to anyone unless we are obliged to by law, +or you ask us to. This includes the public authority that you are sending a +request to. They only get to see an email address +@whatdotheyknow.com which is specific to that request. </p> +<p>If you send a message to another user on the site, then it will reveal your +email address to them. You will be told that this is going to happen.</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="nasty_spam">Will you send nasty, brutish spam to my email address? <a href="#nasty_spam">#</a> </dt> +<dd>Nope. After you sign up to WhatDoTheyKnow we will only send you emails +relating to a request you made, an email alert that you have signed up for, +or for other reasons that you specifically authorise. We will never give or +sell your email addresses to anyone else, unless we are obliged to by law, or +you ask us to. +</dd> + +<dt id="public_request">Why will my name and my request appear publicly on the site? <a href="#public_request">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>We publish your request on the Internet so that anybody can read it and +make use of the information that you have found. We do not normally delete +requests (<a href="#delete_requests">more details</a>). +</p> +<p> +Your name is tangled up with your request, so has to be published as well. +It is only fair, as we're going to publish the name of the civil servant who +writes the response to your request. Using your real name also helps people +get in touch with you to assist you with your research or to campaign with you. +</p> +<p>By law, you must use your real name for the request to be a valid Freedom of +Information request. See the next question for alternatives if you do not want +to publish your full name. +</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="real_name">Can I make an FOI request using a pseudonym? <a href="#real_name">#</a> </dt> + + +<dd> +<p>Technically, you must use your real name for your request to be a valid Freedom of Information request in law. See this +<a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/name_of_applicant_fop083_v1.pdf">guidance from the Information Commissioner</a> (January 2009). +</p> + +<p>However, the same guidance also says it is good practice for the public +authority to still consider a request made using an obvious pseudonym. +You should refer to this if a public authority refuses a request because you +used a pseudonym.</p> + +<p>Be careful though, even if the authority follows this good practice, the +pseudonym will probably make it impossible for you to complain to the +Information Commissioner later about the handling of your request. +</p> + +<p>There are several good alternatives to using a pseudonym.</p> + +<ul> +<li>Use a different form of your name. The guidance says +that "Mr Arthur Thomas Roberts" can make a valid request as "Arthur Roberts", +"A. T. Roberts", or "Mr Roberts", but <strong>not</strong> as "Arthur" or "A.T.R.". +</li> +<li>Women may use their maiden name.</li> +<li>In most cases, you may use any name by which you are "widely known and/or +is regularly used". +<li>Use the name of an organisation, the name of a company, the trading name of +a company, or the trading name of a sole trader. +<li>Ask someone else to make the request on your behalf. +<li>You may, if you are really stuck, ask us to make the request on +your behalf. Please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> with +a good reason why you cannot make the request yourself and cannot +ask a friend to. We don't have the resources to do this for everyone. +</ul> + +<p>Please do not try to impersonate someone else.</p> + +</dd> + +<dt id="full_address">They've asked for my postal address! <a href="#full_address">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>If a public authority asks you for your full, physical address, reply to them saying +that section 8.1.b of the FOI Act asks for an "address for correspondence", +and that the email address you are using is sufficient. +</p> +<p> +The Ministry of Justice has <a href="http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/foi-procedural-what.htm">guidance +on this</a> – +<em>"As well as hard copy written correspondence, requests that are +transmitted electronically (for example, in emails) are acceptable +... If a request is received by email and no postal address is given, the email +address should be treated as the return address." +</em> +</p> +<p>As if that isn't enough, the Information Commissioner's +<a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/practical_application/foi_hints_for_practitioners_handing_foi_and_eir_requests_2008_final.pdf">Hints for Practitioners</a> say +<em>"Any correspondence could include a request for information. If it is written (this includes e-mail), legible, gives the name of the applicant, an address for reply (which could be electronic), and includes a description of the information required, then it will fall within the scope of the legislation."</em> +</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="postal_answer">No no, they need a postal address to send a paper response! <a href="#postal_answer">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>If an authority only has a paper copy of the information that you want, +they may ask you for a postal address. To start with, try persuading them +to scan in the documents for you. You can even <a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/car_parking_charges_policy_and_a#outgoing-532">offer to gift them a scanner</a>, which in that particular case +embarrassed the authority into finding one they had already.</p> + +<p>If that doesn't work, and you want to provide your postal address privately +in order to receive the documents, mark your request as "They are going to reply by post", and it will +give you an email address to use for that purpose.</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="delete_requests">Can you delete my requests, or alter my name? <a href="#delete_requests">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> + +<p>WhatDoTheyKnow is a permanent, public archive of Freedom of +Information requests. Even though you may not find the response to +a request useful any more, it may be of interest to others. For this +reason, we will not delete requests. +</p> + +<p>Under exceptional circumstances we may remove or change your name +on the website, <a href="#takedown">see the next question</a>. +Similarly, we may also remove other personal information. +</p> + +<p>If you're worried about this before you make your request, +see the section on <a href="#real_name">pseudonyms</a>.</p> + +</dd> + +<dt id="takedown">Can you take down personal information about me? <a href="#takedown">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> + +<p>If you see any personal information about you on the site which you'd like +us to remove or hide, then please <a href="/help/contact">let us know</a>. +Specify exactly what information you believe to be problematic and why, and +where it appears on the site.</p> + +<p>If it is sensitive personal information that has been accidentally +posted, then we will usually remove it. Normally we will only consider +requests to remove personal information which come from the individual +concerned, but for sensitive information we would appreciate anyone +pointing out anything they see.</p> + +<p>We consider that there is a strong public interest in +retaining the names of officers or servants of public authorities. We will only +remove such names in exceptional circumstances, such as where the disclosure of +a name and position of employment would substantially risk an individual's +safety. If you are such an official and you wish to have your name removed for +such an urgent reason, you must supply us with a request to do so from your +line manager. This request must demonstrate that a risk has been perceived +which outweighs the public interest, and must demonstrate that efforts have +been made to conceal the name on the organisation's own website.</p> + +<p>For all other requests we apply a public interest test to decide +whether information should be removed. +<a href="http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?ActiveTextDocId=3190650"> Section 32</a> +of the Data Protection Act 1998 permits us to do this, as the material we +publish is journalistic. We cannot easily edit many types of attachments (such +as PDFs, or Microsoft Word or Excel files), so we will usually ask +that authorities resend these with the personal information removed.</p> + +</dd> + + +</dl> + +<p><strong>Learn more</strong> from the help for <a href="/help/officers">FOI officers</a> --> + +<div id="hash_link_padding"></div> + + diff --git a/app/views/help/privacy.sr.rhtml b/app/views/help/privacy.sr.rhtml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..001427181 --- /dev/null +++ b/app/views/help/privacy.sr.rhtml @@ -0,0 +1,184 @@ +<% @title = "Your privacy" %> + +<%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> + +<h1 id="privacy"><%= @title %> <a href="#privacy">#</a> </h1> + +<dl> + +<dt id="email_address">Who gets to see my email address? <a href="#email_address">#</a> </dt> + +<dd><p>We will not disclose your email address to anyone unless we are obliged to by law, +or you ask us to. This includes the public authority that you are sending a +request to. They only get to see an email address +@whatdotheyknow.com which is specific to that request. </p> +<p>If you send a message to another user on the site, then it will reveal your +email address to them. You will be told that this is going to happen.</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="nasty_spam">Will you send nasty, brutish spam to my email address? <a href="#nasty_spam">#</a> </dt> +<dd>Nope. After you sign up to WhatDoTheyKnow we will only send you emails +relating to a request you made, an email alert that you have signed up for, +or for other reasons that you specifically authorise. We will never give or +sell your email addresses to anyone else, unless we are obliged to by law, or +you ask us to. +</dd> + +<dt id="public_request">Why will my name and my request appear publicly on the site? <a href="#public_request">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>We publish your request on the Internet so that anybody can read it and +make use of the information that you have found. We do not normally delete +requests (<a href="#delete_requests">more details</a>). +</p> +<p> +Your name is tangled up with your request, so has to be published as well. +It is only fair, as we're going to publish the name of the civil servant who +writes the response to your request. Using your real name also helps people +get in touch with you to assist you with your research or to campaign with you. +</p> +<p>By law, you must use your real name for the request to be a valid Freedom of +Information request. See the next question for alternatives if you do not want +to publish your full name. +</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="real_name">Can I make an FOI request using a pseudonym? <a href="#real_name">#</a> </dt> + + +<dd> +<p>Technically, you must use your real name for your request to be a valid Freedom of Information request in law. See this +<a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/name_of_applicant_fop083_v1.pdf">guidance from the Information Commissioner</a> (January 2009). +</p> + +<p>However, the same guidance also says it is good practice for the public +authority to still consider a request made using an obvious pseudonym. +You should refer to this if a public authority refuses a request because you +used a pseudonym.</p> + +<p>Be careful though, even if the authority follows this good practice, the +pseudonym will probably make it impossible for you to complain to the +Information Commissioner later about the handling of your request. +</p> + +<p>There are several good alternatives to using a pseudonym.</p> + +<ul> +<li>Use a different form of your name. The guidance says +that "Mr Arthur Thomas Roberts" can make a valid request as "Arthur Roberts", +"A. T. Roberts", or "Mr Roberts", but <strong>not</strong> as "Arthur" or "A.T.R.". +</li> +<li>Women may use their maiden name.</li> +<li>In most cases, you may use any name by which you are "widely known and/or +is regularly used". +<li>Use the name of an organisation, the name of a company, the trading name of +a company, or the trading name of a sole trader. +<li>Ask someone else to make the request on your behalf. +<li>You may, if you are really stuck, ask us to make the request on +your behalf. Please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> with +a good reason why you cannot make the request yourself and cannot +ask a friend to. We don't have the resources to do this for everyone. +</ul> + +<p>Please do not try to impersonate someone else.</p> + +</dd> + +<dt id="full_address">They've asked for my postal address! <a href="#full_address">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>If a public authority asks you for your full, physical address, reply to them saying +that section 8.1.b of the FOI Act asks for an "address for correspondence", +and that the email address you are using is sufficient. +</p> +<p> +The Ministry of Justice has <a href="http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/foi-procedural-what.htm">guidance +on this</a> – +<em>"As well as hard copy written correspondence, requests that are +transmitted electronically (for example, in emails) are acceptable +... If a request is received by email and no postal address is given, the email +address should be treated as the return address." +</em> +</p> +<p>As if that isn't enough, the Information Commissioner's +<a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/practical_application/foi_hints_for_practitioners_handing_foi_and_eir_requests_2008_final.pdf">Hints for Practitioners</a> say +<em>"Any correspondence could include a request for information. If it is written (this includes e-mail), legible, gives the name of the applicant, an address for reply (which could be electronic), and includes a description of the information required, then it will fall within the scope of the legislation."</em> +</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="postal_answer">No no, they need a postal address to send a paper response! <a href="#postal_answer">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>If an authority only has a paper copy of the information that you want, +they may ask you for a postal address. To start with, try persuading them +to scan in the documents for you. You can even <a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/car_parking_charges_policy_and_a#outgoing-532">offer to gift them a scanner</a>, which in that particular case +embarrassed the authority into finding one they had already.</p> + +<p>If that doesn't work, and you want to provide your postal address privately +in order to receive the documents, mark your request as "They are going to reply by post", and it will +give you an email address to use for that purpose.</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="delete_requests">Can you delete my requests, or alter my name? <a href="#delete_requests">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> + +<p>WhatDoTheyKnow is a permanent, public archive of Freedom of +Information requests. Even though you may not find the response to +a request useful any more, it may be of interest to others. For this +reason, we will not delete requests. +</p> + +<p>Under exceptional circumstances we may remove or change your name +on the website, <a href="#takedown">see the next question</a>. +Similarly, we may also remove other personal information. +</p> + +<p>If you're worried about this before you make your request, +see the section on <a href="#real_name">pseudonyms</a>.</p> + +</dd> + +<dt id="takedown">Can you take down personal information about me? <a href="#takedown">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> + +<p>If you see any personal information about you on the site which you'd like +us to remove or hide, then please <a href="/help/contact">let us know</a>. +Specify exactly what information you believe to be problematic and why, and +where it appears on the site.</p> + +<p>If it is sensitive personal information that has been accidentally +posted, then we will usually remove it. Normally we will only consider +requests to remove personal information which come from the individual +concerned, but for sensitive information we would appreciate anyone +pointing out anything they see.</p> + +<p>We consider that there is a strong public interest in +retaining the names of officers or servants of public authorities. We will only +remove such names in exceptional circumstances, such as where the disclosure of +a name and position of employment would substantially risk an individual's +safety. If you are such an official and you wish to have your name removed for +such an urgent reason, you must supply us with a request to do so from your +line manager. This request must demonstrate that a risk has been perceived +which outweighs the public interest, and must demonstrate that efforts have +been made to conceal the name on the organisation's own website.</p> + +<p>For all other requests we apply a public interest test to decide +whether information should be removed. +<a href="http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?ActiveTextDocId=3190650"> Section 32</a> +of the Data Protection Act 1998 permits us to do this, as the material we +publish is journalistic. We cannot easily edit many types of attachments (such +as PDFs, or Microsoft Word or Excel files), so we will usually ask +that authorities resend these with the personal information removed.</p> + +</dd> + + +</dl> + +<p><strong>Learn more</strong> from the help for <a href="/help/officers">FOI officers</a> --> + +<div id="hash_link_padding"></div> + + diff --git a/app/views/help/requesting.en.rhtml b/app/views/help/requesting.en.rhtml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..203de623b --- /dev/null +++ b/app/views/help/requesting.en.rhtml @@ -0,0 +1,293 @@ +<% @title = "Making requests engish yes" %> + +<%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> + +<h1 id="making_requests"><%= @title %> <a href="#making_requests">#</a> </h1> +<dl> + +<dt id="which_authority">I'm not sure which authority to make my request to, how can I find out? <a href="#which_authority">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>It can be hard to untangle government's complicated structured, and work out +who knows the information that you want. Here are a few tips: +<ul> +<li>Browse or search WhatDoTheyKnow looking for similar requests to yours.</li> +<li>When you've found an authority you think might have the information, use +the "home page" link on the right hand side of their page to check what they do +on their website.</li> +<li>Contact the authority by phone or email to ask if they hold the kind of +information you're after.</li> +<li>Don't worry excessively about getting the right authority. If you get it +wrong, they ought to advise you who to make the request to instead. +</li> +<li>If you've got a thorny case, please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> for help.</li> +</ul> + +</dd> + + + +<dt id="missing_body">You're missing the public authority that I want to request from! <a href="#missing_body">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>Please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> with the name of the public authority and, +if you can find it, their contact email address for Freedom of Information requests. +</p> +<p>If you'd like to help add a whole category of public authority to the site, we'd love +to hear from you too. +</p> + +</dd> + +<dt id="authorities">Why do you include some authorities that aren't formally subject to FOI?<a href="#authorities">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>WhatDoTheyKnow lets you make requests for information to a range of +organisations:</p> + +<ul> + <li> Those formally subject to the FOI Act</li> + <li> Those formally subject to the Environmental Regulations (a less well + defined group)</li> + <li> Those which voluntarily comply with the FOI Act</li> + <li> Those which aren't subject to the Act but we think should be, on grounds + such as them having significant public responsibilities. + </li> +</ul> + +<p>In the last case, we're using the site to lobby for expansion of the +scope of the FOI Act. Even if an organisation is not legally obliged to respond +to an FOI request, they can still do so voluntarily. +</p> + +</dd> + +<dt id="focused">Why must I keep my request focused?<a href="#focused">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> + +<p> +Please put in your request only what is needed so that someone can +easily identify what information you are asking for. Please do +<i>not</i> include any of the following: +</p> + +<ul> +<li>arguments about your cause</li> +<li>statements that could defame or insult others</li> +</ul> + +<p> +If you do, we may have to remove your request to avoid problems with +libel law, which is a pain for both you and us. Short, succinct messages +make it easier for authorities to be clear what information you are +requesting, which means you will get a reply more quickly. +</p> + +<p> +If you want information to support an argument or campaign, Freedom of +Information is a powerful tool. Although you may not use this site to +run your campaign, we encourage you to use it to get the information you +need. We also encourage to run your campaign elsewhere - one effective +and very easy way is to <%= link_to 'start your own blog', +"http://wordpress.com/"%>. You are welcome to link to your campaign +from this site in an annotation to your request (you can make +annotations after submitting the request). +</p> + +</dd> + +<dt id="fees">Does it cost me anything to make a request?<a href="#fees">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> + +<p>Making an FOI request is nearly always free.</p> + +<p>Authorities often include unnecessary, scary, boilerplate in +acknowledgement messages saying they "may" charge a fee. Ignore such notices. +They hardly ever will actually charge a fee. If they do, they can only charge you if +you have specifically agreed in advance to pay. <a + href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/practical_application/chargingafee.pdf">More + details</a> from the Information Commissioner. +</p> + +<p>Sometimes an authority will refuse your request, saying that the cost +of handling it exceeds £600 (for central government) or £450 (for all other +public authorities). At this point you can refine your +request. e.g. it would be much cheaper for an authority to tell you the amount +spent on marshmallows in the past year than in the past ten years. +</p> + +</dd> + + + +<dt id="quickly_response">How quickly will I get a response? <a href="#quickly_response">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>By law, public authorities must respond <strong>promptly</strong> to +requests. +</p> + +<p>Even if they are not prompt, in nearly all cases they must respond within +20 working days. If you had to clarify your request, or they are a school, +or one or two other cases, then they may have more time +(<a href="/help/officers#days">full details</a>). + +<p>WhatDoTheyKnow will email you if you don't get a timely response. You can +then send the public authority a message to remind them, and tell them if they +are breaking the law.</p> + +</dd> + +<dt id="deadline_extended">Deadline extended <a href="#deadline_extended">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>By law, public authorities must needs <strong>more time</strong> for request ... (TO DO) +</p> + + +</dd> +<dt id="no_response">What if I never get a response?<a href="#no_response">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>There are several things you can do if you never get a response.</p> +<ul> + <li>Sometimes there has been a genuine problem and the authority never + received the request. It is worth telephoning the authority and politely + checking that they received the request. It was sent to them by email. + </li> + <li>If they have not received it, the problem is most likely due to + "spam filters". Refer the authority to the measures in the answer + '<a href="/help/officers#spam_problems">I can see a request on WhatDoTheyKnow, but we never got it by email!</a>' + in the FOI officers section of this help. + </li> + <li>If you're still having no luck, then you can ask for an internal review, + and then complain to the Information Commissioner about the authority. + Read our page '<a href="/help/unhappy">Unhappy about the response you got?</a>'. +</ul> +</dd> + +<dt id="not_satifised">What if I'm not satisfied with the response? <a href="#not_satifised">#</a> </dt> +<dd>If you didn't get the information you asked for, or you didn't get it in time, +then read our page '<a href="/help/unhappy">Unhappy about the response you got?</a>'. +</dd> + +<dt id="reuse">It says I can't re-use the information I got!<a href="#reuse">#</a> </dt> +<dd> +<p>Authorities often add legal boilerplate about the +"<a href="http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20051515">Re-Use of Public Sector +Information Regulations 2005</a>", which at first glance implies you may not +be able do anything with the information. +</p> + +<p>You can, of course, write articles about the information or summarise it, or +quote parts of it. We also think you should feel free to republish the +information in full, just as we do, even though in theory you might not be +allowed to do so. See <a href="/help/officers#copyright">our policy on copyright</a>.</p> + +</dd> + +<dt id="ico_help">Can you tell me more of the nitty gritty about the process of making requests? <a href="#ico_help">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>Have a look at the +<a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_the_public/access_to_official_information.aspx">access to official information</a> +pages on the Information Commissioner's website.</p> + +<p>If you're requesting information from a Scottish public authority, +the process is very similar. There are differences around time +limits for compliance. +See the <a href="http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.asp?lID=1858&sID=321">Scottish +Information Commissioner's guidance</a> for details.</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="data_protection">Can I request information about myself? <a href="#data_protection">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>No. Requests made using WhatDoTheyKnow are public, made under the Freedom of +Information Act, and cannot help you find information about a private +individual.</p> + +<p>If you would like to know what information a public +authority holds about yourself, you should make a "Subject Access Request" in +private using Data Protection law. The leaflet "<a +href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/introductory/subject_access_rights.pdf">How to access your information</a>" (on the Information Commissioner's +website) explains how to do this.</p> + +<p>If you see that somebody has included personal information, perhaps +unwittingly, in a request, please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> +immediately so we can remove it.</p> +</dd> + + +<dt id="private_requests">I'd like to keep my request secret! (At least until I publish my story) <a href="#private_requests">#</a> </dt> + +<dd><p>WhatDoTheyKnow is currently only designed for public requests. All +responses that we receive are automatically published on the website for anyone +to read. </p> +<p>You should contact the public authority directly if you would like to +make a request in private. If you're interested in buying a system which helps +you manage FOI requests in secret, then <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a>. +</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="eir">Why can I only request information about the environment from some authorities? <a href="#eir">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>Some public authorities, such as <a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/body/south_east_water">South East Water</a>, +don't come under the Freedom of Information Act, but do come under another law called +the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR). +</p> + +<p>It's a very similar law, so you make a request +to them using WhatDoTheyKnow in just the same way as an FOI request. The only +difference is that on the page where your write you request, it reminds you +that you can only request "environmental information" and tells you what that +means. It is quite broad. +</p> + +<p>You can, of course, request environmental information from other +authorities. Just make a Freedom of Information (FOI) request as normal. The +authority has a duty to work out if the Environmental Information Regulations +(EIR) is the more appropriate legislation to reply under. +</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="multiple">Can I make the same to request to lots of authorities, e.g. all councils? <a href="#multiple">#</a> </dt> + +<dd>We ask you to first send a test version of your request to a few +authorities. Their responses will help you improve the wording of your request, +so that you get the best information when you send the request to all of +the authorities. There is currently no automated system for sending the request +to the other authorities, you must copy and paste it by hand. + +</dd> + +<dt id="offsite">I made a request off the site, how do I upload it to the archive?<a href="#offsite">#</a> </dt> + +<dd>WhatDoTheyKnow is an archive of requests made through the site, +and does not try to be an archive of all FOI requests. We'll never support uploading +other requests. For one thing, we wouldn't be able to verify that other +responses actually came from the authority. If this really matters to you, +you can always make the same request again via WhatDoTheyKnow. +</dd> + +<dt id="moderation">How do you moderate request annotations? <a href="#moderation">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>Annotations on WhatDoTheyKnow are to help +people get the information they want, or to give them pointers to places they +can go to help them act on it. We reserve the right to remove anything else. +</p> +<p>Endless, political discussions are not allowed. +Post a link to a suitable forum or campaign site elsewhere.</p> +<dd> + +</dl> + +<p><strong>Next</strong>, read about <a href="/help/privacy">your privacy</a> --> + +<div id="hash_link_padding"></div> + + diff --git a/app/views/help/requesting.rhtml b/app/views/help/requesting.rhtml index dc70f3f89..aa41121ce 100644 --- a/app/views/help/requesting.rhtml +++ b/app/views/help/requesting.rhtml @@ -1,4 +1,4 @@ -<% @title = "Making requests" %> +<% @title = "Bej kerkes" %> <%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> diff --git a/app/views/help/requesting.sr.rhtml b/app/views/help/requesting.sr.rhtml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..aa41121ce --- /dev/null +++ b/app/views/help/requesting.sr.rhtml @@ -0,0 +1,293 @@ +<% @title = "Bej kerkes" %> + +<%= render :partial => 'sidebar' %> + +<h1 id="making_requests"><%= @title %> <a href="#making_requests">#</a> </h1> +<dl> + +<dt id="which_authority">I'm not sure which authority to make my request to, how can I find out? <a href="#which_authority">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>It can be hard to untangle government's complicated structured, and work out +who knows the information that you want. Here are a few tips: +<ul> +<li>Browse or search WhatDoTheyKnow looking for similar requests to yours.</li> +<li>When you've found an authority you think might have the information, use +the "home page" link on the right hand side of their page to check what they do +on their website.</li> +<li>Contact the authority by phone or email to ask if they hold the kind of +information you're after.</li> +<li>Don't worry excessively about getting the right authority. If you get it +wrong, they ought to advise you who to make the request to instead. +</li> +<li>If you've got a thorny case, please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> for help.</li> +</ul> + +</dd> + + + +<dt id="missing_body">You're missing the public authority that I want to request from! <a href="#missing_body">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>Please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> with the name of the public authority and, +if you can find it, their contact email address for Freedom of Information requests. +</p> +<p>If you'd like to help add a whole category of public authority to the site, we'd love +to hear from you too. +</p> + +</dd> + +<dt id="authorities">Why do you include some authorities that aren't formally subject to FOI?<a href="#authorities">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>WhatDoTheyKnow lets you make requests for information to a range of +organisations:</p> + +<ul> + <li> Those formally subject to the FOI Act</li> + <li> Those formally subject to the Environmental Regulations (a less well + defined group)</li> + <li> Those which voluntarily comply with the FOI Act</li> + <li> Those which aren't subject to the Act but we think should be, on grounds + such as them having significant public responsibilities. + </li> +</ul> + +<p>In the last case, we're using the site to lobby for expansion of the +scope of the FOI Act. Even if an organisation is not legally obliged to respond +to an FOI request, they can still do so voluntarily. +</p> + +</dd> + +<dt id="focused">Why must I keep my request focused?<a href="#focused">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> + +<p> +Please put in your request only what is needed so that someone can +easily identify what information you are asking for. Please do +<i>not</i> include any of the following: +</p> + +<ul> +<li>arguments about your cause</li> +<li>statements that could defame or insult others</li> +</ul> + +<p> +If you do, we may have to remove your request to avoid problems with +libel law, which is a pain for both you and us. Short, succinct messages +make it easier for authorities to be clear what information you are +requesting, which means you will get a reply more quickly. +</p> + +<p> +If you want information to support an argument or campaign, Freedom of +Information is a powerful tool. Although you may not use this site to +run your campaign, we encourage you to use it to get the information you +need. We also encourage to run your campaign elsewhere - one effective +and very easy way is to <%= link_to 'start your own blog', +"http://wordpress.com/"%>. You are welcome to link to your campaign +from this site in an annotation to your request (you can make +annotations after submitting the request). +</p> + +</dd> + +<dt id="fees">Does it cost me anything to make a request?<a href="#fees">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> + +<p>Making an FOI request is nearly always free.</p> + +<p>Authorities often include unnecessary, scary, boilerplate in +acknowledgement messages saying they "may" charge a fee. Ignore such notices. +They hardly ever will actually charge a fee. If they do, they can only charge you if +you have specifically agreed in advance to pay. <a + href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/practical_application/chargingafee.pdf">More + details</a> from the Information Commissioner. +</p> + +<p>Sometimes an authority will refuse your request, saying that the cost +of handling it exceeds £600 (for central government) or £450 (for all other +public authorities). At this point you can refine your +request. e.g. it would be much cheaper for an authority to tell you the amount +spent on marshmallows in the past year than in the past ten years. +</p> + +</dd> + + + +<dt id="quickly_response">How quickly will I get a response? <a href="#quickly_response">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>By law, public authorities must respond <strong>promptly</strong> to +requests. +</p> + +<p>Even if they are not prompt, in nearly all cases they must respond within +20 working days. If you had to clarify your request, or they are a school, +or one or two other cases, then they may have more time +(<a href="/help/officers#days">full details</a>). + +<p>WhatDoTheyKnow will email you if you don't get a timely response. You can +then send the public authority a message to remind them, and tell them if they +are breaking the law.</p> + +</dd> + +<dt id="deadline_extended">Deadline extended <a href="#deadline_extended">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>By law, public authorities must needs <strong>more time</strong> for request ... (TO DO) +</p> + + +</dd> +<dt id="no_response">What if I never get a response?<a href="#no_response">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>There are several things you can do if you never get a response.</p> +<ul> + <li>Sometimes there has been a genuine problem and the authority never + received the request. It is worth telephoning the authority and politely + checking that they received the request. It was sent to them by email. + </li> + <li>If they have not received it, the problem is most likely due to + "spam filters". Refer the authority to the measures in the answer + '<a href="/help/officers#spam_problems">I can see a request on WhatDoTheyKnow, but we never got it by email!</a>' + in the FOI officers section of this help. + </li> + <li>If you're still having no luck, then you can ask for an internal review, + and then complain to the Information Commissioner about the authority. + Read our page '<a href="/help/unhappy">Unhappy about the response you got?</a>'. +</ul> +</dd> + +<dt id="not_satifised">What if I'm not satisfied with the response? <a href="#not_satifised">#</a> </dt> +<dd>If you didn't get the information you asked for, or you didn't get it in time, +then read our page '<a href="/help/unhappy">Unhappy about the response you got?</a>'. +</dd> + +<dt id="reuse">It says I can't re-use the information I got!<a href="#reuse">#</a> </dt> +<dd> +<p>Authorities often add legal boilerplate about the +"<a href="http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20051515">Re-Use of Public Sector +Information Regulations 2005</a>", which at first glance implies you may not +be able do anything with the information. +</p> + +<p>You can, of course, write articles about the information or summarise it, or +quote parts of it. We also think you should feel free to republish the +information in full, just as we do, even though in theory you might not be +allowed to do so. See <a href="/help/officers#copyright">our policy on copyright</a>.</p> + +</dd> + +<dt id="ico_help">Can you tell me more of the nitty gritty about the process of making requests? <a href="#ico_help">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>Have a look at the +<a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_the_public/access_to_official_information.aspx">access to official information</a> +pages on the Information Commissioner's website.</p> + +<p>If you're requesting information from a Scottish public authority, +the process is very similar. There are differences around time +limits for compliance. +See the <a href="http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.asp?lID=1858&sID=321">Scottish +Information Commissioner's guidance</a> for details.</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="data_protection">Can I request information about myself? <a href="#data_protection">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>No. Requests made using WhatDoTheyKnow are public, made under the Freedom of +Information Act, and cannot help you find information about a private +individual.</p> + +<p>If you would like to know what information a public +authority holds about yourself, you should make a "Subject Access Request" in +private using Data Protection law. The leaflet "<a +href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/introductory/subject_access_rights.pdf">How to access your information</a>" (on the Information Commissioner's +website) explains how to do this.</p> + +<p>If you see that somebody has included personal information, perhaps +unwittingly, in a request, please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> +immediately so we can remove it.</p> +</dd> + + +<dt id="private_requests">I'd like to keep my request secret! (At least until I publish my story) <a href="#private_requests">#</a> </dt> + +<dd><p>WhatDoTheyKnow is currently only designed for public requests. All +responses that we receive are automatically published on the website for anyone +to read. </p> +<p>You should contact the public authority directly if you would like to +make a request in private. If you're interested in buying a system which helps +you manage FOI requests in secret, then <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a>. +</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="eir">Why can I only request information about the environment from some authorities? <a href="#eir">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>Some public authorities, such as <a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/body/south_east_water">South East Water</a>, +don't come under the Freedom of Information Act, but do come under another law called +the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR). +</p> + +<p>It's a very similar law, so you make a request +to them using WhatDoTheyKnow in just the same way as an FOI request. The only +difference is that on the page where your write you request, it reminds you +that you can only request "environmental information" and tells you what that +means. It is quite broad. +</p> + +<p>You can, of course, request environmental information from other +authorities. Just make a Freedom of Information (FOI) request as normal. The +authority has a duty to work out if the Environmental Information Regulations +(EIR) is the more appropriate legislation to reply under. +</p> +</dd> + +<dt id="multiple">Can I make the same to request to lots of authorities, e.g. all councils? <a href="#multiple">#</a> </dt> + +<dd>We ask you to first send a test version of your request to a few +authorities. Their responses will help you improve the wording of your request, +so that you get the best information when you send the request to all of +the authorities. There is currently no automated system for sending the request +to the other authorities, you must copy and paste it by hand. + +</dd> + +<dt id="offsite">I made a request off the site, how do I upload it to the archive?<a href="#offsite">#</a> </dt> + +<dd>WhatDoTheyKnow is an archive of requests made through the site, +and does not try to be an archive of all FOI requests. We'll never support uploading +other requests. For one thing, we wouldn't be able to verify that other +responses actually came from the authority. If this really matters to you, +you can always make the same request again via WhatDoTheyKnow. +</dd> + +<dt id="moderation">How do you moderate request annotations? <a href="#moderation">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> +<p>Annotations on WhatDoTheyKnow are to help +people get the information they want, or to give them pointers to places they +can go to help them act on it. We reserve the right to remove anything else. +</p> +<p>Endless, political discussions are not allowed. +Post a link to a suitable forum or campaign site elsewhere.</p> +<dd> + +</dl> + +<p><strong>Next</strong>, read about <a href="/help/privacy">your privacy</a> --> + +<div id="hash_link_padding"></div> + + diff --git a/app/views/help/unhappy.en.rhtml b/app/views/help/unhappy.en.rhtml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..432c00f2e --- /dev/null +++ b/app/views/help/unhappy.en.rhtml @@ -0,0 +1,110 @@ +<% @title = "Unhappy about a Freedom of Information request?" %> + + +<% if !@info_request.nil? %> +<h1>Unhappy about the response you got +to your request '<%=request_link(@info_request) %>'? +</h1> +<% else %> +<h1>Unhappy about the response you got?</h1> +<% end %> + +<p>If ...</p> + +<ul> +<li>You didn't get a reply within 20 working days</li> +<li>You did not get all of the information that you requested <strong>or</strong></li> +<li>Your request was refused, but without a reason valid under the law</li> +</ul> + +<p>... you can</p> + +<ol> +<li>Ask for an <strong>internal review</strong> at the public authority.</li> +<li>If that doesn't help, complain to the <strong>Information Commissioner</strong>.</li> +<li>Either way, also <strong>use other means</strong> to answer your question.</li> +</ol> + +<h1 id="internal_review">1. Asking for an internal review <a class="hover_a" href="#internal_review">#</a> </h1> + +<p> +<% if !@info_request.nil? %> + Choose <%= link_to "request an internal review", show_response_no_followup_url(:id => @info_request.id, :incoming_message_id => nil) + "?internal_review=1#followup" %> and then write a message asking the authority to review your request. +<% else %> + At the bottom of the relevant request page on WhatDoTheyKnow choose + "request an internal review". Then write a message asking for an internal + review of your request. You may want to include a link to the + request page, to make it clear which request you are talking about. +<% end %> +</p> + +<p>Internal reviews should be quick. If one takes longer than 20 working days +then the authority should write and let you know, and it should never take +longer than 40 working days (see this +<a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/foi_good_practice_guidance_5.pdf">good +practice guide</a>). +You will then either get the information that +you originally requested, or you will be told that the review upholds the +original decision. +</p> + +<h1 id="complaining">2. Complaining to the Information Commissioner <a class="hover_a" href="#complaining">#</a> </h1> + +<p>If you are still unhappy after the public authority has done their internal review, +then you can complain to the Information Commissioner. To do this read +<a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints/freedom_of_information.aspx">Complaints about Freedom of Information</a> +on the Information Commissioner's website. If you requested information from a Scottish +authority, then <a href="http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourRights/HowToAppeal/Appeal.asp">appeal +to the Scottish Information Commissioner</a>. +</p> + +<p>To make it easier to send the relevant information to the +Information Commissioner, either +<% if !@info_request.nil? %> + include a link to your request + <strong><%=h main_url(request_url(@info_request)) %></strong> +<% else %> + include a link to your request on WhatDoTheyKnow +<% end %> +in your complaint or print out the whole page of your request and all attachments. +</p> + +<p>WhatDoTheyKnow has no special facilities for handling a request at this stage - it +passes into the Information Commissioner's system. You can leave annotations on your +request keeping people informed of progress.</p> + +<p>A warning. There is a backlog of work at the Information Commissioner, and +it can take literally years to get resolution from them. If you reach this point, +you should accept that you won't get the information quickly by this means. Maybe +you want to help the fight to improve Freedom of Information, or maybe +getting the information slowly is still worthwhile. You can also try and +get the information by <strong>other means...</strong></p> + +<h1 id="other_means">3. Using other means to answer your question <a class="hover_a" href="#other_means">#</a> </h1> + +<p>You can try persuing your problem or your research in other ways. + +<ul> +<li>Make a <strong>new FOI request</strong> for summary information, or for +documentation relating indirectly to matters in your refused request. +<a href="/help/contact">Ask us for ideas</a> if you're stuck.</li> +<li>If any <strong>other public authorities</strong> or publicly owned companies are involved, +then make FOI requests to them.</li> +<li>Write to <strong>your MP</strong> or other politician using <a +href="http://www.writetothem.com">WriteToThem</a> and ask for their help +finding the answer. MPs can write directly to ministers or departments, and +can ask written questions in the House of Commons. Councillors in local authorities +can talk directly to council officers.</li> +<li>Ask <strong>other researchers</strong> who are interested in a similar +issue to yours for ideas. You can sometimes find them by browsing this site; +contact any registered user from their page. There may be an Internet +forum or group that they hang out in. If it is a local matter, use <a +href="http://www.groupsnearyou.com">GroupsNearYou</a> to find such a +forum.</li> +<li><strong>Start a pledge</strong> on <a href="http://www.pledgebank.com">PledgeBank</a> to get +others to act together with you. For example, you could arrange a meeting with +staff from the authority. Or you could form a small local campaigns group. +</ul> + + + diff --git a/app/views/help/unhappy.sr.rhtml b/app/views/help/unhappy.sr.rhtml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..432c00f2e --- /dev/null +++ b/app/views/help/unhappy.sr.rhtml @@ -0,0 +1,110 @@ +<% @title = "Unhappy about a Freedom of Information request?" %> + + +<% if !@info_request.nil? %> +<h1>Unhappy about the response you got +to your request '<%=request_link(@info_request) %>'? +</h1> +<% else %> +<h1>Unhappy about the response you got?</h1> +<% end %> + +<p>If ...</p> + +<ul> +<li>You didn't get a reply within 20 working days</li> +<li>You did not get all of the information that you requested <strong>or</strong></li> +<li>Your request was refused, but without a reason valid under the law</li> +</ul> + +<p>... you can</p> + +<ol> +<li>Ask for an <strong>internal review</strong> at the public authority.</li> +<li>If that doesn't help, complain to the <strong>Information Commissioner</strong>.</li> +<li>Either way, also <strong>use other means</strong> to answer your question.</li> +</ol> + +<h1 id="internal_review">1. Asking for an internal review <a class="hover_a" href="#internal_review">#</a> </h1> + +<p> +<% if !@info_request.nil? %> + Choose <%= link_to "request an internal review", show_response_no_followup_url(:id => @info_request.id, :incoming_message_id => nil) + "?internal_review=1#followup" %> and then write a message asking the authority to review your request. +<% else %> + At the bottom of the relevant request page on WhatDoTheyKnow choose + "request an internal review". Then write a message asking for an internal + review of your request. You may want to include a link to the + request page, to make it clear which request you are talking about. +<% end %> +</p> + +<p>Internal reviews should be quick. If one takes longer than 20 working days +then the authority should write and let you know, and it should never take +longer than 40 working days (see this +<a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/detailed_specialist_guides/foi_good_practice_guidance_5.pdf">good +practice guide</a>). +You will then either get the information that +you originally requested, or you will be told that the review upholds the +original decision. +</p> + +<h1 id="complaining">2. Complaining to the Information Commissioner <a class="hover_a" href="#complaining">#</a> </h1> + +<p>If you are still unhappy after the public authority has done their internal review, +then you can complain to the Information Commissioner. To do this read +<a href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints/freedom_of_information.aspx">Complaints about Freedom of Information</a> +on the Information Commissioner's website. If you requested information from a Scottish +authority, then <a href="http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourRights/HowToAppeal/Appeal.asp">appeal +to the Scottish Information Commissioner</a>. +</p> + +<p>To make it easier to send the relevant information to the +Information Commissioner, either +<% if !@info_request.nil? %> + include a link to your request + <strong><%=h main_url(request_url(@info_request)) %></strong> +<% else %> + include a link to your request on WhatDoTheyKnow +<% end %> +in your complaint or print out the whole page of your request and all attachments. +</p> + +<p>WhatDoTheyKnow has no special facilities for handling a request at this stage - it +passes into the Information Commissioner's system. You can leave annotations on your +request keeping people informed of progress.</p> + +<p>A warning. There is a backlog of work at the Information Commissioner, and +it can take literally years to get resolution from them. If you reach this point, +you should accept that you won't get the information quickly by this means. Maybe +you want to help the fight to improve Freedom of Information, or maybe +getting the information slowly is still worthwhile. You can also try and +get the information by <strong>other means...</strong></p> + +<h1 id="other_means">3. Using other means to answer your question <a class="hover_a" href="#other_means">#</a> </h1> + +<p>You can try persuing your problem or your research in other ways. + +<ul> +<li>Make a <strong>new FOI request</strong> for summary information, or for +documentation relating indirectly to matters in your refused request. +<a href="/help/contact">Ask us for ideas</a> if you're stuck.</li> +<li>If any <strong>other public authorities</strong> or publicly owned companies are involved, +then make FOI requests to them.</li> +<li>Write to <strong>your MP</strong> or other politician using <a +href="http://www.writetothem.com">WriteToThem</a> and ask for their help +finding the answer. MPs can write directly to ministers or departments, and +can ask written questions in the House of Commons. Councillors in local authorities +can talk directly to council officers.</li> +<li>Ask <strong>other researchers</strong> who are interested in a similar +issue to yours for ideas. You can sometimes find them by browsing this site; +contact any registered user from their page. There may be an Internet +forum or group that they hang out in. If it is a local matter, use <a +href="http://www.groupsnearyou.com">GroupsNearYou</a> to find such a +forum.</li> +<li><strong>Start a pledge</strong> on <a href="http://www.pledgebank.com">PledgeBank</a> to get +others to act together with you. For example, you could arrange a meeting with +staff from the authority. Or you could form a small local campaigns group. +</ul> + + + |