The complainant made a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to the University of Bradford for information held by the University in relation to the use of campus computers to access extremist material in the context of that accessed by four named students together with reports on extremist activity amongst students over the two years prior to the date of the request. The University refused to disclose some of the information it held relevant to the scope of the request as it stated that it was exempt from disclosure under section 40 of the Act. The Commissioner considers that the University correctly applied the section 40(2) exemption by virtue of section 40(3)(a)(i) in this case. The Commissioner considers that the University complied with section 1(1)(a) and (b) of the Act as it confirmed what information it held and provided the information that was not exempt to the complainant prior to internal review. However as the University did not confirm what information it held which was exempt from disclosure within 20 working days of the request the Commissioner considers that the University breached section 10(1) of the Act. The Commissioner also considers that the University breached section 17(1)(b) and (c) as it did not accurately state which exemption applied nor did it explain why the exemption applied in this case within the statutory time for compliance.
Section of Act/EIR and Finding: FOI 10 – Complaint Upheld, FOI 17 – Complaint Upheld, FOI 40 – Complaint Not upheld
Citations:
[2009] UKICO FS50197666
Links:
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Information
Updated: 21 August 2022; Ref: scu.532002