FOIA Lawsuit Filed Against the FBI Concerning Requests for Agency Policies on Social Media Monitoring

Published: April 21, 2026

Biazzo Law, PLLC has filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida seeking to enforce the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”), 5 U.S.C. § 552, against the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), a component of the United States Department of Justice.

A copy of the filed complaint is provided below for public reference.

The lawsuit concerns a FOIA request submitted on March 13, 2026, seeking records related to FBI policies, operational guidance, and written directives governing the monitoring and collection of information from social media platforms. These records include agency policies that define how federal law enforcement conducts surveillance and intelligence gathering activities involving online platforms.

As reflected in the filed Complaint, the FBI acknowledged receipt of the request but did not provide a determination within the time required by FOIA.

FOIA requires federal agencies to determine within twenty (20) working days whether they will comply with a request, including identifying the scope of records to be produced and the basis for any withholding. The statute is intended to ensure timely public access to information concerning government operations and decision-making.

The requested records concern matters of substantial public importance, including the scope of federal law enforcement authority and the policies governing monitoring of activity that may implicate First Amendment protections.

The lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to compel the FBI to comply with its obligations under FOIA, including making a determination and producing non-exempt records.

FOIA plays a critical role in promoting transparency and accountability in government. Timely access to agency records allows the public to better understand how federal agencies operate and how legal and constitutional principles are applied in practice.

Biazzo Law, PLLC will continue to monitor this matter and provide updates as appropriate. The filed Complaint is made available for public reference to allow independent review of the allegations and legal claims asserted. The inclusion of the complaint is intended to provide access to the underlying court filing.

Filed Complaint:

Filed Complaint.pdf

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