Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exemptions

Geological Data

It is designed to prevent oil and gas exploration companies from obtaining information from federal agencies that can provide them with a competitive edge.

Agency Memos

Protects agency memoranda, studies or drafts that are prepared and use internally to create final reports for policies

Law-Enforcement Records

Records compiled within the context of law enforcement investigations maybe exempt. There are stipulations to this.

National Security

Records fall under the exemption of national security if they are classified as confidential, secret or top-secret.

Personal Privacy

Self explanatory

Trade Secrets

The private business information provided to various government agencies, which includes profit and loss statements, market share information and secret formulas and the like, is generally exempt from disclosure under FOIA.

Financial Records

This exemption allows for nondisclosure of sensitive financial reports or audits

Internal Agency Rules and Procedures

This exemption related to internal agency rules is a housekeeping exemption. It covers records related exclusively to the practices of the agency itself: vacation policies, lunch break rules, parking space assignments and so on

Statutory Exemptions

This exemption stipulates that FOIA cannot override other laws that forbid the disclosure of certain information.