Websites seized by the AFP from 2020 to 2024
Dear Australian Federal Police,
I request access to the following documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982:
1. A list of all internet domains seized or taken down by the AFP, or by another law enforcement agency in a joint international law enforcement operation involving the AFP, from 1 January 2020 to 30 July 2024.
For example, this request includes domains such as:
• "[warzone[.]ws - Malicious URL]" and "[breachforums[.]is - Malicious Link]" (seized by the FBI in joint operations with the AFP)
• The domain associated with LabHost, taken down in Operation Nebulae (referenced in the AFP media release: https://www.afp.gov.au/news-centre/media...)
• Any other domains where a "takedown notice" or similar message was displayed by the AFP or partner agencies following the seizure or disruption, similar to the actions taken against child abuse websites mentioned in this AFP media release: https://www.afp.gov.au/news-centre/media... (Quote: "Visitors to these sites will now see a ‘takedown notice’ issued by the AFP and cannot access previously-hosted child exploitation material.")
This request excludes domains that have been silently taken over (taken over without informing users of the site), as disclosing such information would likely interfere with ongoing AFP operations.
For the purposes of this request, the terms "seized" and "taken down" are used interchangeably to encompass any instance where the AFP or a partner agency rendered a domain inaccessible as part of a law enforcement action.
Yours faithfully,
CR
OFFICIAL
Good evening CR
I refer to your request dated 30 July 2024, seeking access to documents
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the Act) as follows:
Request:
A list of all internet domains seized or taken down by the AFP, or by
another law enforcement agency in a joint international law enforcement
operation involving the AFP, from 1 January 2020 to 30 July 2024.
For example, this request includes domains such as:
o "[warzone[.]ws - Malicious URL]" and "[breachforums[.]is - Malicious Link]" (seized by the FBI in joint
operations with the AFP)
o The domain associated with LabHost, taken down in Operation Nebulae
(referenced in the AFP media release:
[1]https://www.afp.gov.au/news-centre/media...)
o Any other domains where a "takedown notice" or similar message was
displayed by the AFP or partner agencies following the seizure or
disruption, similar to the actions taken against child abuse websites
mentioned in this AFP media release:
[2]https://www.afp.gov.au/news-centre/media...
(Quote: "Visitors to these sites will now see a ‘takedown notice’
issued by the AFP and cannot access previously-hosted child
exploitation material.")
This request excludes domains that have been silently taken over (taken
over without informing users of the site), as disclosing such information
would likely interfere with ongoing AFP operations.
For the purposes of this request, the terms "seized" and "taken down" are
used interchangeably to encompass any instance where the AFP or a partner
agency rendered a domain inaccessible as part of a law enforcement action.
Timeframe
Your request was received by the AFP on 30 July 2024, and the 30 day
statutory period for processing your request commenced from that date. The
due date for your request is 29 August 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 it 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.
Please advise this office if you consent to exclude the following
information:
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.
o Names and identifying information (including images) relating 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
[3]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 29
August 2024.
If you have any queries in relation to your request, please do not
hesitate to contact the FOI team at [4][AFP request email].
Kind regards,
KEELEY (AFP 27662)
FOI OFFICER
AFP LEGAL – CORPORATE | CHIEF COUNSEL PORTFOLIO
[5]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. https://www.afp.gov.au/news-centre/media...
2. https://www.afp.gov.au/news-centre/media...
3. https://www.afp.gov.au/about-us/informat...
4. mailto:[AFP request email]
5. http://www.afp.gov.au/
Dear FOI Officer,
I consent to exclude the following information:
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.
o Names and identifying information (including images) relating to third
parties.
Yours sincerely,
CR
OFFICIAL
Good afternoon
Thank you for your email and confirming this.
I will be in touch again in due course to update you on your request.
Kind regards,
KEELEY (AFP 27662)
FOI OFFICER
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.
OFFICIAL
Dear CR
Please find attached the decision in relation to your request for access
to documents held by the Australian Federal Police under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Cth), LEX 2983.
Kind regards,
KEELEY (AFP 27662)
FOI OFFICER
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/
Dear FOI Officer,
Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.
I am writing to request an internal review of the AFP's handling of my FOI request 'Websites seized by the AFP from 2020 to 2024' (LEX 2983).
I find it hard to believe that the Australian Federal Police does not know which sites they have seized. Your own media release states that the AFP has "blocked 10 child abuse websites". If your agency doesn't know which sites they have blocked, how can you quote that you have blocked 10 of them?
I remind you of your obligations under section 17 to produce a written document of information that is stored electronically and not in a discrete written form. I would imagine the website addresses would be in some sort of database or case files, which can be compiled into a list using Microsoft Word, or, if that is too difficult for your agency, even Windows Notepad.
A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/w...
Yours faithfully,
CR
OFFICIAL
Dear CR
I acknowledge receipt of your request for internal review under section 52
of the Freedom of Information Act 1982. An impartial decision-maker has
been appointed to review the decision dated 27 August 2024 – LEX 2983.
The AFP received your request for internal review on 3 September 2024 and
the 30 day statutory period for processing your request commenced from the
day after that date. You should therefore expect a decision by 3 October
2024.
We will contact you using the email address you provided. Should you
require any further assistance please let us know.
Kind regards,
KEELEY (AFP 27662)
FOI OFFICER
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/
OFFICIAL
Good afternoon CR
Please find attached decision in relation your request for an internal
review.
Kind regards,
FOI OFFICER (AFP 27662)
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/