Internal documentation pertaining to "Operation Shrouded Horizon" or the takedown of dark0de
Dear Australian Federal Police,
I am writing to you to request the release of the following documents:
1. Initial communication from international law enforcement agencies to the AFP relating to a join operation named "Shrouded Horizon" that the AFP took part in during 2015 to seized the domain or website associated with black market site "Dark0de'.
2. Any documentation pertaining to the design of the websites "Seizure image" or the AFP logo placement on the image.
3. Internal communications or memorandums pertaining to the immediate aftermath of the websites seizure, limited to a 7 day search period from intial take down.
I understand these request mat ve broad and i will narrow them down in future if possible. I would like to also pre emptivy state that I wish for this information and give my permission to have identifiable information removed from it. Such as the identifiable names of officers, middle names, phone numbers, etc.
Yours faithfully,
Sean
OFFICIAL
Dear Sean,
YOUR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST
I refer to your request dated 23 October 2024, seeking access to documents
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the Act) as follows:
Request:
1. Initial communication from international law enforcement agencies to
the AFP relating to a join operation named "Shrouded Horizon" that the AFP
took part in during 2015 to seized the domain or website associated with
black market site "Dark0de'.
2. Any documentation pertaining to the design of the websites "Seizure
image" or the AFP logo placement on the image.
3. Internal communications or memorandums pertaining to the immediate
aftermath of the websites seizure, limited to a 7 day search period from
initial take down.
Timeframe
Your request was received by the AFP on 23 October 2024, and the 30 day
statutory period for processing your request commenced from that date. The
due date for your request is 22 November 2024.
Information irrelevant to the scope of your request
The AFP, in its management of FOI requests, excludes the following
information on the basis that is irrelevant to the scope of a request:
o duplicate documents, including duplicate emails (the AFP will only
provide emails where they form a final email chain and the
authors/recipients are contained within the final email); and
o information that is publicly available, for example, newspaper
articles, online publications including information available on the
AFP Information Publication Scheme and the AFP disclosure log.
You have consented to exclude the following information from the scope of
the request:
o Names of AFP members, other than the Senior Executive; and
o Direct telephone numbers, middle names of AFP members, signatures and
mobile telephone numbers of AFP members.
Disclosure of your identity
The AFP may be required to consult with third parties in accordance with
sections 26A, 27 and 27A of the Act. Please advise us if you consent to
the AFP identifying you as the FOI applicant for the purposes of the
consultation. If we do not receive your consent, we will not disclose your
identity to third parties.
Information Publication Scheme
Please be advised that effective 1 May 2011 and in accordance with section
8(2) of the Act, an agency is required to publish information on the AFP
website following the notification of a decision in respect of a freedom
of information request. Details of the decision will be published in a
Disclosure Log which can be found at
[1]https://www.afp.gov.au/about-us/informat....
The requirement to publish information released under FOI reinforces the
objectives of the FOI Act to promote a pro-disclosure culture across
government, and to increase recognition that information held by
government is a national resource. Exceptions to the requirement to
publish information would apply to personal information and information
concerning the business affairs of a person if it was considered
‘unreasonable’ to do so.
If however, after noting the above, you wish to raise any concerns about
the publication of information concerning your request prior to the
notification of a decision, please advise the AFP in writing before 22
November 2024.
If you have any queries in relation to this matter, please do not hesitate
to contact our team at [2][AFP request email].
Yours sincerely,
ALYSSA (27037)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION OFFICER - COMMERCIAL, GOVERNANCE & INFORMATION
AFP LEGAL – CORPORATE | CHIEF COUNSEL PORTFOLIO
[3]Australian Federal Police
References
Visible links
1. https://www.afp.gov.au/about-us/informat...
2. mailto:[AFP request email]
3. http://www.afp.gov.au/
OFFICIAL
Dear Sean (Right to Know),
Your Freedom of Information Request – LEX 3253
I refer to your request dated 23 October 2024 in which you seek access to
documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
Upon consideration of your request, the AFP is of the view that your
request will take longer than 30 days to process. The delay is
regrettable, however, due to a significant increase in the volume of
applications at this time and delays being experienced by the relevant AFP
line area, who are still in the process of gathering the information, and
the subsequent delays in receiving the documents by this office, the
AFP will be unable to finalise this matter within the 30 day time frame.
Accordingly, it will not be possible to advise you of a decision by 22
November 2024.
Accordingly, pursuant to section 15AA of the Act, I seek your agreement to
extend the period to notify you of a decision by 30 days to 22 December
2024.
I would be grateful if you would advise this office in writing of your
agreement to the proposed extension of time by close of business 11
November 2024.
If you have any queries in relation to this matter, please do not hesitate
to contact this office.
Yours sincerely,
ALYSSA (27037)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION OFFICER - COMMERCIAL, GOVERNANCE & INFORMATION
AFP LEGAL – CORPORATE | CHIEF COUNSEL PORTFOLIO
[1]Australian Federal Police
References
Visible links
1. http://www.afp.gov.au/
Dear FOI,
I apologise for my delay. I agree and am happy to have it extended.
Yours sincerely,
Sean
Dear FOI,
It has been several days since I gave approval to extend this request. Please confirm that you have received my approval and are actioning it accordingly.
Yours sincerely,
Sean
OFFICIAL
Dear Sean
I confirm that we received your agreement to the extension of time, with a decision now due on 23 December 2024 (as 22 December is a Sunday).
We are actioning your request accordingly.
Kind regards
AFP27037
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION OFFICER - COMMERCIAL, GOVERNANCE & INFORMATION
AFP LEGAL – CORPORATE | CHIEF COUNSEL PORTFOLIO
The Australian Federal Police acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country
throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay
our respects to First Nations people, culture and Elders past, present and emerging.
Dear Australian Federal Police,
Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.
I am writing to request an internal review of Australian Federal Police's handling of my FOI request 'Internal documentation pertaining to "Operation Shrouded Horizon" or the takedown of dark0de'.
I recognzie that there have been several public holidays over the last week and staff may have taken time off however the due date for this request was before those public holidays. I would like a review of this request and a reason for its delay.
A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/i...
Yours faithfully,
Sean
Our reference: RQ24/05697
Agency reference: LEX 3253
Australian Federal Police
Extension of time under s 15AB
Dear Parties,
Please find attached an extension of time decision relating to LEX 3253
FOI request with the Australian Federal Police.
A copy has been sent to the applicant.
Regards,
[1][IMG] Natalie Crow (she/her)
Senior Review Adviser (Legal)
Freedom of Information Branch
Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner
GPO Box 5218 Sydney NSW 2001 |
[2]oaic.gov.au
1300 363 992 | [3][email address]
[4][IMG] | [5][IMG] | [6][IMG] | [7]Subscribe to OAICnet newsletter
Please note: The OAIC has revised its IC review procedure directions from
1 July 2024. For more information, including new resources to assist
applicants and respondents, see our webpage: [8]Information Commissioner
reviews.
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OFFICIAL
Dear Sean
Thank you for your email.
As a section 15AB extension of time was granted by the OAIC, the AFP is still currently within statutory timeframes to provide a decision.
Therefore, a request for internal review is unable to be received at this time.
You will receive a decision shortly in relation to your FOI request LEX 3253.
Kind regards
AFP27037
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION OFFICER - COMMERCIAL, GOVERNANCE & INFORMATION
AFP LEGAL – CORPORATE | CHIEF COUNSEL PORTFOLIO
The Australian Federal Police acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country
throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay
our respects to First Nations people, culture and Elders past, present and emerging.
Dear FOI,
I understand. That being said, the time frame has elapsed once again. This is outreigious although given that the time has elapsed again, it leads me to believe that the documents I seek do exist in some form. As such I would like to request the immediete release of ANY documents located thus far.
Yours sincerely,
Sean
Dear Australian Federal Police,
Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.
I am writing to request another internal review of Australian Federal Police's handling of my FOI request 'Internal documentation pertaining to "Operation Shrouded Horizon" or the takedown of dark0de'.
The request time has elapsed twice now, even with the additional time granted by the internal request, it has elapsed once more past the 6th of Januarary 2025. As such I am seeking an internal review and explanation as to why this request failed to meet its own deadline yet again. Due to this failing, the documents clearly exist in some form, i am also seeking the immediete release of ANY documents located thus far whilst the remainder of my request is undertaken.
A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/i...
Yours faithfully,
Sean
OFFICIAL
Dear Sean
Thank you for your email.
I note that you have requested an internal review of LEX 3253.
However, the AFP cannot commence an internal review of a decision that has surpassed statutory timeframes. Additionally, we cannot internally review a decision has not be issued yet.
Please be advised that your request is being finalised. If you do wish to commence a review, you have the option to apply to the Office of the Information Commissioner (OAIC).
Kind regards
AFP27037
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION OFFICER - COMMERCIAL, GOVERNANCE & INFORMATION
AFP LEGAL – CORPORATE | CHIEF COUNSEL PORTFOLIO
The Australian Federal Police acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country
throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay
our respects to First Nations people, culture and Elders past, present and emerging.
Our reference: RQ25/00107
Agency reference: LEX 3253
Agency name Australian Federal Police
By Email: [AFP request email]
Name Sean (Right to Know)
By Email:
[FOI #12213 email]
Extension of time under s 15AC
Dear Parties,
Please find attached an extension of time decision relating to the above
referenced FOI request.
Regards,
[1][IMG] Andriana DeIeso
Review Adviser
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
GPO Box 5288 Sydney NSW 2001
E [2][email address]
I am available Monday to Wednesday; Tuesday and Wednesday alternate
weeks.
Please note: The OAIC has revised its IC review procedures from 1 July
2024. For more information about these revised procedures, including new
resources to assist applicants and respondents, see our webpage:
[3]Information Commissioner reviews | OAIC
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.
[4]Subscribe to Information Matters
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
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2. mailto:[email address]
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OFFICIAL
Dear Sean (Right to Know),
Please find attached correspondence in relation to your Freedom of
Information request, reference LEX 3253.
Kind regards,
AFP27037
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION OFFICER - COMMERCIAL, GOVERNANCE & INFORMATION
AFP LEGAL – CORPORATE | CHIEF COUNSEL PORTFOLIO
[1]Australian Federal Police
The Australian Federal Police acknowledges the Traditional Owners and
Custodians of Country
throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and
community. We pay
our respects to First Nations people, culture and Elders past, present and
emerging.
References
Visible links
1. http://www.afp.gov.au/
Sean left an annotation ()
Yay i did get what i wanted in the end... which was just the takedown image and corospondanxe for it. I wish that part wasn't redacted fully but ill happily make more requests for additional sites that have been "taken diwn" for my project.