CDT’s FOIA Request to DHS and CBP Asking for Commercial Location Data Access Records
Chief Privacy Officer/Chief FOIA Officer
The Privacy Office
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
FOIA Officer
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
FOIA Division
RE: Request Under the Freedom of Information Act U.S. Customs and Border Protection Access to Commercial Location Data
To whom it may concern:
This letter constitutes a request under the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) and is submitted on behalf of the Center for Democracy & Technology (“CDT”) to the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) and United States Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”). CDT respectfully requests records pertaining to CBP’s access to commercial location data.
Requested Documents
Any contracts, memoranda of understanding or other agreements, including all modifications, pursuant to CBP’s access to commercial location data as referred to in DHS/CBP/PIA-022(a);
Any policy directives, guidance documents, memoranda, training materials, or similar records guiding CBP employees on the use of the commercial location data; and
Any brochures, training materials, and other informational materials provided to CBP from any entity which provides this type of access to commercial location data.
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