In the spring semester of 1999 I was studying at George Washington
University, in Washington DC, and doing an internship at the Electronic
Privacy Information Center (EPIC). One
of my projects was to find out if the US Government had encourage Intel
to include a unique identifier on the PIII chips. The tool was the HREF=”http://library.lp.findlaw.com/articles/file/00046/001869/title/Subject/to
pic/Constitutional%20Law_Freedom%20of%20Information/filename/constitutionallaw_
1_88”>
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which we used to query every
government agency that could have concievably have had something to
do with it.
One of the hundreds of letters I sent was posted to a listserv and ended
up on the web. [URL]
—-
Freedom of Information Act Officer
U.S. Department of Commerce
14th & Constitution Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20230
Re: Freedom of Information Act Request
Dear Sir or Madam:
This letter constitutes a request under the Freedom of Information
Act (“FOIA”), 5 U.S.C. � 552, and is submitted on behalf of the Electronic
Privacy Information Center (“EPIC”).
We request copies of all agency records concerning, discussing or
relating to proposals and/or techniques for imbedding unique identifiers
in
computer chips in order to identify a particular computer. This request
includes, but is not limited to, any records concerning Intel
Corporation’s
decision to include a unique Processor Serial Number (PSN) in every one of
its Pentium III chips.
For purposes of fee assessments, we request that EPIC be placed in
the category of “news media” requester. EPIC publishes a biweekly
electronic newsletter, issues regular public reports and analyses, and
maintains a free online electronic library. EPIC staff members also are
regular contributors to numerous newspapers, newsletters, magazines, and
law reviews. Any information that is obtained as a result of this request
will be disseminated though these publications and others. We note that
many agencies have already recognized that EPIC qualifies for “news media”
status. We also request a waiver of all applicable duplication fees, as
release of this information will contribute significantly to the public’s
understanding of the activities and operations of the
government.
As the FOIA requires, I will look forward to your response within
ten (10) working days.
Thank
you.
Sincerely,
Jay McKinnon
Policy Intern