Here’s How To Find Out What The FBI Knows About You
Country artist Chase Matthew stopped by the radio station yesterday. He noticed that we have a lot of Alexa speakers around the building and he asked them all to play his new single “Love You Again.” Afterwards, I joked that the FBI agent who lives in the speaker is probably enjoying the tunes. We’ve all made that joke. The one about agents listening to our smartphones, eavesdropping on our chats or peering into our digital worlds. But rest assured, the FBI reserves its wiretapping prowess for tackling terrorism and grave crimes… at least that’s what they WANT you to think. Haha.
But here’s a revelation: You, yes, you, hold the key to unlock the FBI’s vault of information about you. Thanks to the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act (FOIPA), you possess the legal right to request the records the FBI holds concerning your life. FOIPA is a federal law that was enacted in 1966 with the goal of promoting transparency and accountability in government operations.
The law allows American citizens to request records from federal agencies, including the FBI. In most scenarios, these agencies are bound to release the requested information—unless it conveniently falls under one of nine secrecy shields.
Recently, the FBI has been investigating activists from the ACLU of Oregon. According to the ACLU-OR website, they’ve requested information regarding numerous people who are concerned what the agency knows about them. They also describe how easy it is to ask for your own file, if one exists.
To get started, it’s as simple as filling out THIS online form.
If you’re digging up information about yourself, accuracy is absolutely your ally. Providing false information might not just be embarrassing; it could invite criminal penalties.
Once you’ve crossed these digital thresholds, your Privacy Act Request will set sail. The FBI will embark on a quest to unveil the treasure trove of information they may hold about you, but chances are they don’t have anything. Still, it’s fun to wonder. Plus, it’s your right to know.
So, if you’ve ever wondered what information the FBI might have about you, don’t hesitate to exercise your right and submit a Privacy Act Request. It’s a simple way to shed light on any potential files that may exist in the vast archives of federal agencies.
