BlueLeaks Bulletins (Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center)
| Tracking # |
Z016191-062824 |
| Multi Request | BlueLeaks Bulletins |
| Submitted | Aug. 8, 2020 |
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Communications
From: Emma Best
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
A copy of (U//FOUO) IIB - Criminal Hackers Target US Law Enforcement Data, created on or about June 26, 2020, as well as bulletins and alerts generated, sent or received mentioning or describing "BlueLeaks" (sometimes spelled "Blue Leaks"), "Distributed Denial of Secrets" or "DDoSecrets". You may limit this request to records created between June 18, 2020 and the date of the processing of this request.
I am a member of the news media and request classification as such. I have previously written about the government and its activities, with some reaching over 100,000 readers in outlets such as Gizmodo, MuckRock, Motherboard, Property of the People, Unicorn Riot, and The Outline, among others. As such, as I have a reasonable expectation of publication and my editorial and writing skills are well established. In addition, I discuss and comment on the files online and make them available through non-profits such as the library Internet Archive and the journalist non-profit MuckRock, disseminating them to a large audience. While my research is not limited to this, a great deal of it, including this, focuses on the activities and attitudes of the government itself. As such, it is not necessary for me to demonstrate the relevance of this particular subject in advance.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Emma Best
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 8, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 8, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center
Good Afternoon,
Thank you for your request for an update to your FOIA request in which you seek:
"A copy of (U//FOUO) IIB - Criminal Hackers Target US Law Enforcement Data, created on or about June 26, 2020, as well as bulletins and alerts generated, sent or received mentioning or describing "BlueLeaks" (sometimes spelled "Blue Leaks"), "Distributed Denial of Secrets" or "DDoSecrets". You may limit this request to records created between June 18, 2020 and the date of the processing of this request."
Due to the unusual circumstances related to the COVID-19 response, FOIA request responses are delayed at this time. Your request for records is being processed. Currently, we are awaiting the results from our search for records based on the criteria provided in this request. Once we receive the search results, we will provide an update with the expected response timeframe based on the volume of records returned.
If you have any questions regarding your FOIA request, you may contact me at this email address.
Thank you for your understanding,
WHITNEY BOWEN ABRAMS
FOIA Officer
Mobile: 202-594-7430
hsema.foia@dc.gov<mailto:hsema.foia@dc.gov>
From: Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center
Good Afternoon,
This email provides an update to your FOIA request dated, August 10, 2020 in which you seek:
"All electronic communications, including emails, with Netsential, a Texas-based web hosting firm that contracts with local law enforcement, the FBI, DHS, and municipal governments. Netsential was recently the source of the hacked data known as BlueLeaks.
I am especially seeking information about contracts Netsential has received to create and maintain websites and other digital services for the FBI, FBI-affiliated organizations, LE, and various intelligence fusion centers.
Please also search for communications with Stephen Gartrell, the founder of Netsential."
Due to the unusual circumstances related to the COVID-19 response, FOIA request responses are delayed at this time. Your request for records is being processed. Currently, we are awaiting the results from our search for records based on the criteria provided in this request. Once we receive the search results, we will provide an update with the expected response timeframe based on the volume of records returned.
If you have any questions regarding your FOIA request, you may contact me at this email address.
Thank you for your understanding,
WHITNEY BOWEN ABRAMS
FOIA Officer
Mobile: 202-594-7430
hsema.foia@dc.gov<mailto:hsema.foia@dc.gov>
From: Emma Best
I did not, in any way, request "All electronic communications, including emails, with Netsential, a Texas-based web hosting firm that contracts with local law enforcement, the FBI, DHS, and municipal governments. Netsential was recently the source of the hacked data known as BlueLeaks. I am especially seeking information about contracts Netsential has received to create and maintain websites and other digital services for the FBI, FBI-affiliated organizations, LE, and various intelligence fusion centers. Please also search for communications with Stephen Gartrell, the founder of Netsential."
Nor have I conceded Netsential as the source for BlueLeaks.
Please do not distort my record requests. However, I am curious who did request that data. =)
From: Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center
My apologies Ms. Best. Please disregard the update provided below.
Thank you,
WHITNEY BOWEN ABRAMS
FOIA Officer
Mobile: 202-594-7430
hsema.foia@dc.gov<mailto:hsema.foia@dc.gov>
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~WRD0003
From: Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center
Good morning,
We are writing to follow up on the below request. We understand that this request was submitted some time ago and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
"Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
A copy of (U//FOUO) IIB - Criminal Hackers Target US Law Enforcement Data, created on or about June 26, 2020, as well as bulletins and alerts generated, sent or received mentioning or describing "BlueLeaks" (sometimes spelled "Blue Leaks"), "Distributed Denial of Secrets" or "DDoSecrets". You may limit this request to records created between June 18, 2020 and the date of the processing of this request.
I am a member of the news media and request classification as such. I have previously written about the government and its activities, with some reaching over 100,000 readers in outlets such as Gizmodo, MuckRock, Motherboard, Property of the People, Unicorn Riot, and The Outline, among others. As such, as I have a reasonable expectation of publication and my editorial and writing skills are well established. In addition, I discuss and comment on the files online and make them available through non-profits such as the library Internet Archive and the journalist non-profit MuckRock, disseminating them to a large audience. While my research is not limited to this, a great deal of it, including this, focuses on the activities and attitudes of the government itself. As such, it is not necessary for me to demonstrate the relevance of this particular subject in advance.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not."
Please confirm whether the information requested is still needed. If we do not hear from you by October 05, 2024, the request will be closed.
If different information is now needed. Please submit a new request via the FOIA portal located at the following link.
https://myfoiadc.govqa.us/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(1oks2d0udz0w5e5w1eecju4a))/supporthome.aspx
Thank you,
[cid:image001.png@01DAFF7D.01AD4B20]
Joseph Ruel
FOIA Officer | Office of Policy, Performance, and Data
DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency
Mobile: (202)302-0082
Email: hsema.foia@dc.gov
hsema.dc.gov
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image001
From: Emma Best
Yes, they are.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 10, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center
Good morning,
I understand this request was made some time ago and you are still interested in the information. We are currently working through your request and will provide an update soon.
Thank you,
[cid:image001.png@01DB1AED.98002800]
Joe Ruel
FOIA Officer | Office of Policy, Performance, and Data
DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency
Mobile: (202)302-0082
Email: hsema.foia@dc.gov
hsema.dc.gov
From: Emma Best
I confirmed interest a month ago and will do so again now - I am still interested and want the information.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 10, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 10, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center
Good morning,
We are currently working on your request. We anticipate a response no later than January 02, 2025.
Thank you for your patience in this matter.
Thank you,
[cid:image001.png@01DB4B9F.F963C470]
Joe Ruel
FOIA Officer | Office of Policy, Performance, and Data
DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency
Mobile: (202)302-0082
Email: hsema.foia@dc.gov
hsema.dc.gov
From: Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center
Good morning,
Attached you will find the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency's (HSEMA) final response to your FOIA request (Z016191-062824).
Thank you,
[cid:image001.png@01DB4D3D.95097390]
Joe Ruel
FOIA Officer | Office of Policy, Performance, and Data
DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency
Mobile: (202)302-0082
Email: hsema.foia@dc.gov
hsema.dc.gov
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image001
