
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (UK)
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (UK) grants the public the right to access information held by public authorities, such as government departments, local councils, and agencies. It aims to promote transparency and accountability by requiring these bodies to disclose recorded information upon request, unless it falls under specific exemptions like privacy, national security, or sensitive law enforcement data. Requests can be made by anyone, and public authorities are obliged to respond within a set timeframe. Overall, the Act empowers citizens to understand and scrutinize the functioning of public institutions.