Opinion ID: 2812682
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Taylor’s Document Requests to the NSA

Text: Under FOIA and the Privacy Act, Taylor wrote a letter to the NSA and requested any and all records about him maintained by the NSA. He also requested (1) applications for orders authorizing or approving interception of his communications and documents related to those applications, (2) applications for orders authorizing the NSA to read his mind, (3) orders authorizing the NSA to intercept his communications or thoughts, and documents related to such orders, and (4) documents identifying all other agencies that have requested surveillance of him. The NSA issued a letter denying his request and explained a search of its most comprehensive filing systems, including information concerning applicants, personnel, security, medical, and training records, showed Taylor never had been affiliated with the NSA, which had no records relating to him. Regarding Taylor’s FOIA request, the NSA responded it could neither confirm nor deny the existence 2 Case: 14-15380 Date Filed: 06/29/2015 Page: 3 of 11 of intelligence records responsive to his request, because that information was classified by executive order and exempt from disclosure under the FOIA. 1 Taylor administratively appealed the NSA’s denial; the NSA affirmed the denial of his request. In the letter affirming the denial, the NSA specifically affirmed the Glomar response with reference to Taylor’s request for intelligence documents.