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UK government running ‘Orwellian’ unit to block release of ‘sensitive’ information

Topic
Secrecy and transparency Law Data protection Privacy
Country/Region
UK

24 November 2020

The UK government is running a secret "clearing house" for freedom of information requests that is used to coordinate which information to release and to whom, according to a new report. The unit shares information on journalists and organisations making requests, leading one shadow cabinet minister to describe it as being involved in "blacklisting". A legal challenge has been launched by openDemocracy, who have published the report detailing the government's attacks on freedom of information, and the law firm Leigh Day.

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UK government running ‘Orwellian’ unit to block release of ‘sensitive’ information (openDemocracy, link)

See the report: Art of Darkness: How the government is undermining Freedom of Information (link to pdf)

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