How NY Gov. Cuomo Sidesteps Freedom of Information Requests With His Blackberry

New submitter wrekkuh writes "The Daily News is reporting that if aides of New York's Governor Andrew Cuomo cannot speak in person or by telephone with the Governor, they are told to use BlackBerry's PIN-to-PIN messaging system — a function that leaves no lasting trail because it bypasses data-saving email servers. Consequently, a Freedom of Information request for all e-mails to and from Governor Cuomo's office resulted in an empty reply from the Records Access Officer: 'Please be advised that the New York State Executive Chamber has conducted a diligent search, but does not possess records responsive to your request.'"

Repost from 1896

[paiute]

"Never write if you can speak; never speak if you can nod; never nod if you can wink." - Martin Michael Lomasney

What usually happens

[jbolden]

We have a classic problem with the freedom of information requests:

1) We want accurate historical records maintained of how decision were made, by whom and why.
2) We want a have an open press and legal system to have access to those records so our legal processes and our political processes are based on accurate information.
3) We want to have an open campaign system where all available information is discussed as part of the process of choosing leaders.

Pick any 2.

Employers do this too!

[Anonymous Coward]

Had a former employer demand that I get an iPhone so he could text me the instructions on everything he wanted me to do, much of which was either illegal or leading me to suspect that he was basically building up an elaborate scam. But then of course he demanded emails that would show evidence that I was the one at fault for providing false information to him the whole time (me being the programmer). I cursed him out and quit for insulting my intelligence, and made sure the rest of the company employees got wind of it so they'd know better too. Younger less experienced employees might not have caught on to this, but I sure did....real fast.

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[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:Completely Reasonable

[Attila Dimedici]

Well, except for the fact that Governor Cuomo is a big proponent in his speeches of all government decision making to be open to the public, there is nothing wrong with it. At least if you don't mind your public officials being hypocrites.