What is a summary disclosure in FOI responses?

What is a summary disclosure in FOI responses?

• A. Providing detailed and extensive documentation
• B. Providing a brief overview of the information rather than the detailed content
• C. Offering a full disclosure with no summaries
• D. Issuing a denial of the request entirely

Answer: (B)

A summary disclosure in the context of FOI (Freedom of Information) responses refers to the practice of providing a brief overview of the information requested, rather than the exhaustive details or a comprehensive data set. This approach is often employed to balance the duty to disclose information with the need to protect sensitive data. By summarizing the information, agencies can convey essential insights without divulging specific details that could be confidential, sensitive, or otherwise protected under privacy laws or other regulations. This method can also facilitate a quicker response to requests, allowing for timely communication of relevant information while still adhering to the principles of transparency and accountability. In situations where full disclosure is not feasible or practical, summary disclosures serve as a valuable tool for informing the public while safeguarding important interests.

A summary disclosure in the context of FOI (Freedom of Information) responses refers to the practice of providing a brief overview of the information requested, rather than the exhaustive details or a comprehensive data set. This approach is often employed to balance the duty to disclose information with the need to protect sensitive data. By summarizing the information, agencies can convey essential insights without divulging specific details that could be confidential, sensitive, or otherwise protected under privacy laws or other regulations.

This method can also facilitate a quicker response to requests, allowing for timely communication of relevant information while still adhering to the principles of transparency and accountability. In situations where full disclosure is not feasible or practical, summary disclosures serve as a valuable tool for informing the public while safeguarding important interests.