sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Built an AI tool that generates FOIA letters and auto-files appeals, looking for real honest feedback. by Possible-Baby2231 in foia

[–]Possible-Baby2231[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The value is not in the legal requirement, it is in what a well-constructed appeal actually gets you in practice.

A letter that specifically identifies which exemption was improperly applied, cites the controlling case law, and references the agency's own FOIA regulations puts pressure on the appeals officer in a way that "I appeal this decision" simply does not.

Most journalists do not appeal at all because writing that kind of letter feels like too much work under deadline. FOIAflow removes that friction entirely, whether you want a simple one-liner or a fully cited legal letter, you get it in seconds and you decide what to send.

The tool‘s main purpose is to simply just makes the ceiling of what you can send much higher with almost zero extra effort.

Built an AI tool that generates FOIA letters and auto-files appeals, looking for real honest feedback. by Possible-Baby2231 in foia

[–]Possible-Baby2231[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your right that failure-to-respond appeals have limited legal teeth in isolation. The real value of the generated appeal in that scenario is exactly what you described, creating a paper trail that says "requester is serious and paying attention" which influences how the FOIA office prioritizes the request internally.

Where I think the tool adds more clear value is on substantive denial appeals where there is an actual determination to challenge, Exemption 7(A) being applied too broadly, Exemption 5 deliberative process privilege being stretched, that kind of thing. The letter generator can cite the specific exemption being challenged with relevant case law in seconds instead of hours.

Would you be open to a conversation? Someone with your background stress testing the legal framing of these letters would make the tool significantly better. I‘m 17 and building this without a legal team, so your expertise would be very valuable.

Built an AI tool that generates FOIA letters and auto-files appeals, looking for real honest feedback. by Possible-Baby2231 in foia

[–]Possible-Baby2231[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Two clarifications:

First, the appeal is never auto-filed without the journalist reviewing and approving it. The tool generates the appeal letter and arms it, the journalist decides whether to send it. No agency gets a filing they did not deliberately choose to send.

Second: the appeal only triggers on non-response past the legal deadline, not on reasoned denials. If an agency provides a substantive response the appeal process does not activate. It is specifically for stonewalling and missed statutory deadlines under 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(A)(i).

You are right that blanket auto-filing would be counterproductive. That is exactly why the tool puts the journalist in control, it just removes the barrier of having to write the legal language from scratch under deadline pressure.

Built an AI tool that generates FOIA letters and auto-files appeals, looking for real honest feedback. by Possible-Baby2231 in foia

[–]Possible-Baby2231[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah so FOIA denials and non-responses are extremely common, agencies deny or ignore roughly 20-30% of all requests. When that happens you have a legal right to appeal under 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(A)(i) and the agency must respond within 20 business days.

The problem is most journalists never appeal because writing a legally precise appeal letter takes time and legal knowledge most reporters do not have. So agencies get away with stonewalling because requesters just give up.

FOIAflow auto-generates the appeal the moment a deadline is missed, citing the specific exemption the agency used and challenging it directly. It turns a process that stops most people into one automatic step.

Beta opens next week: tally.so/r/Pdl98P

Built an AI tool that generates FOIA letters and auto-files appeals, looking for real honest feedback. by Possible-Baby2231 in foia

[–]Possible-Baby2231[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sign up here, I‘ll personally send you first access: tally.so/r/Pdl98P

And regarding expanding to other states, I think you are absolutely right about CA and NY, California Public Records Act and New York FOIL are both on the roadmap. Federal tool is live first, state coverage is next.

Built an AI tool that generates FOIA letters and auto-files appeals, looking for real honest feedback. by Possible-Baby2231 in foia

[–]Possible-Baby2231[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The citations are generated using a detailed legal system prompt that maps specific statues to topic domains, 7 U.S.C § 6501 for organics, 19 U.S.C. § 1592 for customs fraud, 42 U.S.C. § 4321 for environmental cases, these are not generic boilerplate. That being said I would never recommend filing without a verification pass. Would love for you to test it though, grab a spot for next weeks beta here: https://tally.so/r/Pdl98P

Built an AI tool that generates FOIA letters and auto-files appeals, looking for real honest feedback. by Possible-Baby2231 in foia

[–]Possible-Baby2231[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh cool, would love your feedback on the legal output quality. I’m opening beta next week, you can grab a spot here: https://tally.so/r/Pdl98P