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United States

Streamline the Declassification Process (US0067)

Overview

At-a-Glance

Action Plan: United States Action Plan 2015-2017

Action Plan Cycle: 2015

Status: Inactive

Institutions

Lead Institution: The Administration

Support Institution(s): NA

Policy Areas

Capacity Building

IRM Review

IRM Report: United States End-of-Term IRM Report 2015-2017, United States Mid-Term Report 2015-2017

Starred: No

Early Results: Marginal

Design i

Verifiable: Yes

Relevant to OGP Values: Access to Information Technology

Potential Impact:

Implementation i

Completion:

Description

While national security interests require that certain information be protected as classified, democratic principles require government to be transparent, wherever possible, about its activities. Declassification is a time-consuming and costly process that often involves manual review of records. In order to identify processes and tools to help automate and streamline declassification, the Administration will:

IRM Midterm Status Summary

For details of these commitments, see the report: https://www.opengovpartnership.org/documents/united-states-mid-term-report-2015-2017/

IRM End of Term Status Summary

Commitment 15. Streamline the Declassification Process

Commitment Text:

Streamline the Declassification Process

While national security interests require that certain information be protected as classified, democratic principles require government to be transparent, wherever possible, about its activities. Declassification is a time-consuming and costly process that often involves manual review of records. In order to identify processes and tools to help automate and streamline declassification, the Administration will:

  • Develop a Plan to Implement Technological Tools to Help Automate Declassification Review. The interagency Classification Reform Committee will develop a plan to expand the use of technological tools that were piloted by the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Archives to help automate declassification review.
  • Pilot the Use of a Topic-Based Interagency Declassification Guide. When reviewing documents for declassification, multiple agencies may have had a stake in the creation and classification of those documents, and ordinarily each must review them prior to declassification. The Classification Reform Committee will work with agencies to pilot a declassification guide based on a topic or event in order to enable trained interagency staff to review this information where it resides, rather than referring the classified information to multiple agencies, avoiding the sometimes lengthy interagency review process.
  • Establish a Special Systematic Declassification Review Program. The National Declassification Center at the National Archives will implement a special systematic declassification review program for previously reviewed and exempted historical Federal records that were accessioned to the National Archives and reviewed prior to the creation of the National Declassification Center in 2010.
  • Declassify Historical Intelligence Records in the Public Interest. The Central Intelligence Agency will lead an interagency project to declassify no-longer-sensitive Presidential Daily Briefs from the Nixon and Ford administrations. Working with Intelligence Community agencies and the Classification Reform Committee, the Central Intelligence Agency will manage a line-by-line review of these important historical documents and post them online in machine-readable formats.

Responsible institutions: Central Intelligence Agency and National Archives and Records Administration

Supporting institutions: Classification Reform Committee, Federal agencies with classification authority, and civil society stakeholders

Start Date: Not Specified End Date: Not Specified

Commitment Aim

This commitment built on the previous action plan’s commitment to reduce overclassification and better handle large volumes of classified digital material. It aimed to automate and streamline the declassification process by:

Developing a plan to expand the use of technological tools that could help automate the declassification review process;

Piloting a topic- and event-based declassification guide to make the interagency declassification review process more efficient;

Implementing a systematic declassification review program for previously reviewed and exempted historical federal records whose review took place prior to the creation of the National Declassification Center; and

Reviewing presidential daily briefs from the Nixon and Ford administrations for potential declassification and subsequent online dissemination in a machine-readable format.

Status

Midterm: Limited

By the midterm, the government had made limited progress on this commitment:

The government’s midterm self-assessment report noted that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was developing, testing, and refining technological tools to further the declassification process. However, the IRM researcher did not independently observe any progress on Milestone 15.1 at the midterm.[1]

The report also noted[2] that the Classification Reform Committee requested that agencies prepare a list of topics for inclusion in the interagency declassification guide. The anticipated due date for this was late 2016. Thus, Milestone 15.2 had limited completion.

Per the report,[3] the National Archives’ National Declassification Center (NDC) created an inventory of government records accessioned prior to 2010. The NDC began piloting the declassification review process for these materials, with 66,000 pages declassified by midterm. While newly declassified archives were announced on the NDC blog,[4] it was unclear which of these documents were declassified following the new review process. As a result, Milestone 15.3 had limited completion at the midterm.

The CIA released the daily presidential briefs from the Nixon and Ford administrations shortly after the close of the midterm reporting period. By the midterm, Milestone 15.4, therefore, had limited completion.

End of term: Limited

At the end of term, overall progress on this commitment remains limited:

Using publicly available information, the IRM researcher was unable to verify whether the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) made any progress on Milestone 15.1. The milestone, therefore, remains “not started”.

The IRM researcher was unable to verify whether agencies had prepared lists of topics for inclusion in the interagency declassification guide or whether the guide itself had been produced. Completion for Milestone 15.2, therefore, remains limited.

The IRM researcher did not observe any further progress on Milestone 15.3 by the close of the end-of-term reporting period. Importantly, a roughly identical commitment appears in the National Archives and Records Administration’s Open Government Plan: 2016-2018.[5] Specifically, the plan notes that “the NDC is developing a special systematic declassification review program for previously reviewed and exempted historical federal records that were accessioned to the National Archives and reviewed prior to the creation of the Center in 2010. This pilot activity will be followed with a formalized process to make re-review of previously exempted records a priority for the NDC.”[6] In light of this statement, the IRM researcher assesses that no additional progress has been made on Milestone 15.3 since midterm. Completion, therefore, remains limited.

On 24 August 2016, the CIA published a set of declassified “President’s Daily Briefs” from the Nixon and Ford administrations,[7] resulting in the completion of Milestone 15.4. The declassified materials include 2,500 documents comprising 28,000 pages. The CIA released them in conjunction with a CIA symposium, 'The President's Daily Brief: Delivering Intelligence to Nixon and Ford.' This symposium was held at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum.[8] Speaking to the importance of these materials, the CIA noted that the briefs “contain the highest level of intelligence on the president’s key national security issues and concerns . . . [and] were the primary vehicle for summarizing the day-to-day sensitive intelligence and analysis, as well as late-breaking reports, for the White House.”[9] The briefs cover a variety historically important events. These include the Vietnam War, the 1973–1974 embargo by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, and the Arab-Israeli War of 1973.[10]

Did It Open Government?

Access to Information: Marginal

This commitment marginally opened government regarding access to information. Given the limited progress on the other milestones, progress on this front stems solely from the Central Intelligence Agency’s release of the declassified daily briefs (Milestone 15.4).

The release of the daily briefs expands the public’s access to information from the Nixon and Ford administrations. The briefs provide details on important historical moments, such as President Nixon’s trip to China, the end of the Vietnam War, and the rise of Mu’ammar Gaddhafi in Libya. The release also received significant attention from the media, which highlighted some of the most noteworthy details of the briefs.[11]

Still, the release of the Nixon and Ford briefs alone cannot be considered a major improvement because they build upon the 2015 release of the briefs from the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. The overall process of releasing presidential briefs has the potential to significantly further access to information among the public. However, each particular release constitutes an incremental step forward on this path.

Carried Forward?

At the time of writing, the US government had not published its fourth national action plan, so it is unclear if this commitment is carried forward. Open government advocates expressed substantial interest in this commitment. Many submitted proposals for streamlining the declassification process during the development of the action plan.[12] The milestones that remain incomplete should be addressed going forward in light of this demand.

Regarding this commitment and Milestone 15.1, Steven Aftergood, project director at the Federation of American Scientists, noted that “a particular problem is that little or no new investment has been made in developing the technological aids to declassification that will undoubtedly be required to process the ever-accumulating mass of historically valuable classified records. Traditional declassification practices are simply inadequate to the task.”[13] The IRM researcher observed no progress under this milestone during the evaluation period. However, Aftergood’s comments speak to the importance of devoting renewed attention to this particular milestone, should the government ultimately move forward with this commitment.

[1] United States of America, Midterm Self-Assessment Report for the Open Government Partnership: Third Open Government National Action Plan, 2015-2017, September 2016, 17, https://www.opengovpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2001/01/USA_NAP3_self-assessment-report_20160916.pdf, consulted 2 October 2017.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] National Declassification Center Blog, National Archives and Records Administration, https://declassification.blogs.archives.gov/.

[5] National Archives and Records Administration, Open Government Plan 2016-2018. https://usnationalarchives.github.io/opengovplan/, consulted 14 September 2017. See specifically Commitment 39 in Appendix B of the plan.

[6] National Archives and Records Administration, Open Government Plan 2016-2018: Section 6.2, https://usnationalarchives.github.io/opengovplan/declassification/, consulted 14 September 2017.

[7] “President’s Daily Brief,” Central Intelligence Agency, https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/presidents-daily-brief, consulted 14 September 2017.

[8] Ibid.

[9] Ibid.

[10] “CIA Releases Roughly 2,500 Declassified President’s Daily Briefs,” Central Intelligence Agency, 24 August 2016, https://www.cia.gov/news-information/press-releases-statements/2016-press-releases-statements/cia-releases-roughly-2-500-declassified-president2019s-daily-briefs.html, consulted 28 September 2017.

[11] Denise Salazar, “CIA at Nixon Library Releases Declassified Briefings Given to President in the ’70s,” The Orange County Register, 26 August 2016, http://bit.ly/2sBR0Jc; David S. Cloud, “CIA Releases Thousands of Previously Classified Briefings to Presidents Nixon and Ford,” Los Angeles Times, 24 August 2016, http://lat.ms/2bnRoPn; and Ryan Browne, “CIA Declassifies Thousands of Nixon, Ford Daily Intel Briefings,” CNN, 26 August 2016, http://cnn.it/2GdzHjt.

[12] OpenTheGovernment.org, Civil Society Model Commitments for the Third US National Action Plan, September 2015, http://bit.ly/2oBni4D, consulted 14 September 2017.

[13] Written comments provided to the IRM researcher, 28 October 2017.

Commitments

  1. Federal Data Strategy

    US0105, 2019, E-Government

  2. Grants Accountability

    US0106, 2019, E-Government

  3. Public Access to Federally Funded Research

    US0107, 2019, E-Government

  4. Workforce Data Standards

    US0108, 2019, E-Government

  5. Chief Data Officers

    US0109, 2019, Capacity Building

  6. Open Data for Public Health

    US0110, 2019, E-Government

  7. Enterprise Objective

    US0111, 2019, Capacity Building

  8. Developing Future Action Plans

    US0112, 2019, OGP

  9. Reconstitution of the USA.gov

    US0053, 2015, E-Government

  10. Accessibility of Government Information Online

    US0054, 2015, Marginalized Communities

  11. Access to Educational Resources

    US0055, 2015, Open Data

  12. Public Listing of Every Address in the US

    US0056, 2015, Open Data

  13. Informed Decisions About Higher Education.

    US0057, 2015, Open Data

  14. New Authentication Tools to Protect Individual Privacy and Ensure That Personal Records Go Only to the Intended Recipients.

    US0058, 2015, Public Service Delivery

  15. Transparency of Open311

    US0059, 2015, E-Government

  16. Support Medicine Research Throught Opening up Relevant Data of the Field

    US0060, 2015, Health

  17. Access to Workforce Data

    US0061, 2015, Open Data

  18. Using Evidence and Concrete Data to Improve Public Service Delivery

    US0062, 2015, Capacity Building

  19. Expand Use of the Federal Infrastructure Permitting Dashboard

    US0063, 2015,

  20. Consolidation of Import and Export Systems

    US0064, 2015, E-Government

  21. Improving Government Records

    US0065, 2015, Open Data

  22. Starred commitment Ammendments to FOIA

    US0066, 2015, Open Data

  23. Streamline the Declassification Process

    US0067, 2015, Capacity Building

  24. Implement the Controlled Unclassified Information Program

    US0068, 2015, Open Data

  25. Transparency of Privacy Programs and Practices

    US0069, 2015, Capacity Building

  26. Transparency of Federal Use of Investigative Technologies

    US0070, 2015, E-Government

  27. Increase Transparency of the Intelligence Community

    US0071, 2015, Capacity Building

  28. Starred commitment Open Science Through Open Data

    US0072, 2015, Open Data

  29. Open Data Portal

    US0073, 2015, E-Government

  30. Increase Transparency of Trade Policy and Negotiations

    US0074, 2015, E-Government

  31. Develop a Machine Readable Government Organizational Chart

    US0075, 2015, E-Government

  32. Improving Public Participation

    US0076, 2015, Public Participation

  33. Expand Public Participation in the Development of Regulations

    US0077, 2015, Public Participation

  34. Civic Engagement in Decision-Making Processes

    US0078, 2015, Public Participation

  35. Open Mapping

    US0079, 2015, E-Government

  36. Tracking OGP Implementation

    US0080, 2015, OGP

  37. Strengthening Whistleblower Protection

    US0081, 2015, Capacity Building

  38. Transparency of Legal Entities

    US0082, 2015, Beneficial Ownership

  39. Extractive Industries Transparency

    US0083, 2015, Extractive Industries

  40. Spending Transparency

    US0084, 2015, E-Government

  41. Enhance the Use of U.S. Foreign Assistance Information

    US0085, 2015, Aid

  42. Participatory Budgets and Responsive Spending

    US0086, 2015, Participation in Budget Processes

  43. Expand Access to Justice to Promote Federal Programs

    US0087, 2015, E-Government

  44. Starred commitment Build Safer Communities with Police Open Data

    US0088, 2015, E-Government

  45. Open Federal Data to Benefit Local Communities

    US0089, 2015, E-Government

  46. Support the Municipal Data Network

    US0090, 2015, E-Government

  47. Foster Data Ecosystems

    US0091, 2015, Capacity Building

  48. Extend Digital, Data-Driven Government to Federal Government’S Support for Communities

    US0092, 2015, Capacity Building

  49. Promote Implementation of SDGs

    US0093, 2015, Open Data

  50. Starred commitment Promote Open Climate Data

    US0094, 2015, E-Government

  51. Air Quality Data Available

    US0095, 2015, E-Government

  52. Promote Food Security and Data Sharing for Agriculture and Nutrition

    US0096, 2015, Capacity Building

  53. Promote Data Sharing About Global Preparedness for Epidemic Threats

    US0097, 2015, Capacity Building

  54. Promote Global Interconnectivity

    US0098, 2015, Aid

  55. Open Contracting

    US0099, 2015, Capacity Building

  56. Harness the Data Revolution for Sustainable Development

    US0100, 2015, OGP

  57. Open Government to Support Global Sustainable Development

    US0101, 2015, Anti-Corruption Institutions

  58. Open Collaboration Onf the Arctic

    US0102, 2015, Environment and Climate

  59. Support Capacity Building for Extractives Transparency

    US0103, 2015, Capacity Building

  60. Support Responsible Investment and Business Practices for Companies

    US0104, 2015, Private Sector

  61. Improve Public Participation in Government

    US0027, 2013, Capacity Building

  62. Modernize Management of Government Records

    US0028, 2013, Records Management

  63. Modernize the Freedom of Information Act

    US0029, 2013, Capacity Building

  64. Transform the Security Classification System

    US0030, 2013, Records Management

  65. Implement the Controlled Unclassified Information Program

    US0031, 2013, Security

  66. Increase Transparency of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Activities

    US0032, 2013, E-Government

  67. Make Privacy Compliance Information More Accessible

    US0033, 2013, E-Government

  68. Support and Improve Agency Implementation of Open Government Plans

    US0034, 2013, OGP

  69. Strengthen and Expand Whistleblower Protections for Government Personnel

    US0035, 2013, Capacity Building

  70. Increase Transparency of Legal Entities Formed in the United States

    US0036, 2013, Legislation & Regulation

  71. Starred commitment Implement the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

    US0037, 2013, Environment and Climate

  72. Make Fossil Fuel Subsidies More Transparent

    US0038, 2013, Extractive Industries

  73. Starred commitment Increase Transparency in Spending

    US0039, 2013, Fiscal Transparency

  74. Increase Transparency of Foreign Assistance

    US0040, 2013, Aid

  75. Continue to Improve Performance.Gov

    US0041, 2013, E-Government

  76. Consolidate Import and Export Systems to Curb Corruption

    US0042, 2013, Private Sector

  77. Promote Public Participation in Community Spending Decisions

    US0043, 2013, Infrastructure & Transport

  78. Expand Visa Sanctions to Combat Corruption

    US0044, 2013, Anti-Corruption Institutions

  79. Further Expand Public Participation in the Development of Regulations

    US0045, 2013, Capacity Building

  80. Open Data to the Public

    US0046, 2013, E-Government

  81. Continue to Pilot Expert Networking Platforms

    US0047, 2013, Public Participation

  82. Reform Government Websites

    US0048, 2013, E-Government

  83. Promote Innovation Through Collaboration and Harness the Ingenuity of the American Public

    US0049, 2013, Capacity Building

  84. Promote Open Education to Increase Awareness and Engagement

    US0050, 2013, E-Government

  85. Deliver Government Services More Effectively Through Information Technology

    US0051, 2013, E-Government

  86. Increase Transparency in Spending

    US0052, 2013, E-Government

  87. Reform Records Management

    US0001, 2011, Records Management

  88. Lead a Multi-Agency Effort

    US0002, 2011, Capacity Building

  89. Monitor Agency Implementation of Plans

    US0003, 2011, OGP

  90. Provide Enforcement and Compliance Data Online

    US0004, 2011, Environment and Climate

  91. Advocate for Legislation Requiring Meaningful Disclosure

    US0005, 2011, Legislation & Regulation

  92. Apply Lessons from Recovery Act to Increate Spending Transparency

    US0006, 2011, Fiscal Transparency

  93. Government-Wide Reporting Requirements for Foreign Aid

    US0007, 2011, Aid

  94. Use Performanc.Gov to Improve Government Performance and Accountability

    US0008, 2011, Public Service Delivery

  95. Overhaul the Public Participation Interface on Regulations.Gov

    US0009, 2011, Legislation & Regulation

  96. Launch Expertnet

    US0010, 2011, E-Government

  97. Launch International Space Apps Competition

    US0011, 2011, E-Government

  98. Launch “We the People”

    US0012, 2011,

  99. Open Source “We the People”

    US0013, 2011,

  100. Develop Best Practices and Metrics for Public Participation

    US0014, 2011, Capacity Building

  101. Professionalize the FOIA Administration

    US0015, 2011, Right to Information

  102. Harness the Power of Technology

    US0016, 2011, Right to Information

  103. Advocate for Legislation on Whistleblower Protection

    US0017, 2011, E-Government

  104. Explore Executive Authority to Protect Whistleblowers

    US0018, 2011, Legislation & Regulation

  105. Implement the EITI

    US0019, 2011, Extractive Industries

  106. Partnership to Build on Recent Progress

    US0020, 2011, Extractive Industries

  107. Promote Data.Gov to Spur Innovation Through Open Sourcing

    US0021, 2011, Open Data

  108. Data.Gov: Foster Communities on Data.Gov

    US0022, 2011, Education

  109. Begin Online National Dialogue with the American Public

    US0023, 2011, Public Participation

  110. Update Government-Wide Policies for Websites

    US0024, 2011,

  111. Promote Smart Disclosure to Ensure Timely Release of Information

    US0025, 2011, Capacity Building

  112. Publish Guidelines on Scientific Data

    US0026, 2011, Capacity Building