theres no such thing as the KGB.
there hasnt been for decades
Well the "KGB" doesn't exist as the KGB. As with every country, there is still spy agencies. Name or not, it's there. I don't know where OP lives but the "KGB" won't come knocking on my door. It's more likely the FBI, NSA or DHS. The FBI has a file on me. I just don't know what about. I should request that. Apparently, it's only like 30 bucks or some shit.
The cost of a FOIA request depends on the length of your file. They aren't overly conservative with paper, from what I understand, but you can also request a particular format--within reason, of course. If they find themselves doing too much work or using too much paper, they might charge you extra or just refuse to honor it.
If you don't have a file before the FOIA, you will afterward.
Who cares? If they didn't have a reason to watch you before, they aren't likely to find one after. Most of us are small potatoes. This is off topic, anyway. I plan to make a thread on FOIA requests in the near future, when I start seeing the results from my own.
Here's a photo of Vladimir Putin undercover for the KGB, trailing President Reagan during his visit to Moscow:
You should. There was a half-assed thread on it on totse2. Make an updated one.
Zoklet had one too, but it wasn't very productive at all. Everyone was too afraid to do it, I think in part because there was a lack of proper understanding about what FOIA is for and who uses it. I'm working on putting it together, so expect to see it soon!
I FOIA myself and was denied.
There are nine criteria for exclusion within FOIA, some of which are more serious and some that seem trivial. If they denied it, they should have included a reason. If this isn't the case, you may have filed it incorrectly--this is easy to do. They're pretty strict about the manner in which you file your request. The average citizen doesn't really have much reason to and won't pick it up easily, but if you ask at the bank or contact a news group they might be willing to help you through the process.
They might just not have any information about you at that particular agency, and unfortunately, they aren't likely able to point you in the right direction. Did you try on a state and federal level?
Okay so does one have to be in the system to have a file on FOIA or can it be anyone?
Anyone can file a FOIA request. They might straight up say they have nothing, or they might say they can neither confirm nor deny the existence of records relating to your inquiry, if they really have nothing. If you file a follow up request about six months to a year later, they might have a bit more info on you. Maybe they want to know why you asked, maybe they use empty requests for training new recruits to gather information, I don't know.
