Link: [1]File-List
Link: [2]Edit-Time-Data
Link: [3]themeData
Link: [4]colorSchemeMapping

Sent by ve_ombu.euroombudsman (OMBU) <[European Ombudsman request email]>. All
responses have to be sent to this email address.
Envoyé par ve_ombu.euroombudsman (OMBU) <[European Ombudsman request email]>. Toutes
les réponses doivent être effectuées à cette adresse électronique.

Dear Mr Thorgen,

Thank you for your request for public access to documents that you
submitted to the European Ombudsman’s Office on 17/07/2024.

Your request has been registered today under reference Ares(2024)5304982.

It will be dealt with in accordance with Regulation 1049/2001 regarding
public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents and
the Decision of the European Ombudsman on internal procedures for dealing
with applications for public access to documents and requests for
information.

We will deal with your request as soon as possible and reply to you no
later than 12/08/2024 (15 working days from the date of registration of
your request).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Office by
telephone: + 33 (0)3 88 17 23 13 or e-mail: [5][European Ombudsman request email].

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

 

[6]cid:image003.png@01D86A9B.093A7210 European Ombudsman
 
Access to Documents and Freedom of
Information Team
 

1 avenue du Président Robert Schuman
CS 30403
F - 67001 Strasbourg Cedex
[7]www.ombudsman.europa.eu

 

 

References

Visible links
1. file:///tmp/cid:filelist.xml@01DADC4D.286CC360
2. file:///tmp/cid:editdata.mso
3. file:///tmp/~~themedata~~
4. file:///tmp/~~colorschememapping~~
5. mailto:[European Ombudsman request email]
7. European Ombudsman Home Page
http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/

Link: [1]File-List
Link: [2]Edit-Time-Data
Link: [3]themeData
Link: [4]colorSchemeMapping

Sent by ve_ombu.euroombudsman (OMBU) <[European Ombudsman request email]>. All
responses have to be sent to this email address.
Envoyé par ve_ombu.euroombudsman (OMBU) <[European Ombudsman request email]>. Toutes
les réponses doivent être effectuées à cette adresse électronique.

Dear Mr Thorgen,

I refer to your request of 17 July 2024 submitted via the online platform
[5]asktheeu, in which you seek public access to text messages sent or
received by the European Ombudsman ‘her cabinet team, or her lawyers,
using services which includes WhatsApp, Signal and others similar, as
related to the European Ombudsman investigation 1316/2021/MIG. Furthermore
include any text messages about follow up media attention, for example
today in Politico, since 2021.’ (sic)

Your request was registered on 17 July 2024 under the reference
Ares(2024)5304982. In accordance with Regulation 1049/2001, the time limit
for replying to your request expires on 12 August 2024.

We have interpreted your request as requiring access to firstly text
messages exchanged between various actors as regards the specific
Ombudsman’s inquiry referred to (case 1316/2023/MIG) and in addition, any
text messages exchanged concerning media attention as a follow up to that
inquiry.

Please note that, in line with the Ombudsman’s [6]Decision on Records
Management, the Office avoids using text messaging, instant messaging or
similar tools for substantive work communications.[7][1] Notwithstanding
the fact that we do not use this form of communication for our inquiries,
we searched for documents potentially falling within the scope of your
request by reference to various mobile messaging applications (such as
WhatsApp, Signal etc  on mobile devices) and Cisco Jabber chat (instant
messages on office laptops and desktops). In order to identify relevant
documents in the possession of those actors, key search terms were used on
all relevant devices (mobile phones, laptops, desktops), regardless of
whether or not the messages were required to be registered in accordance
with the Office’s internal guidelines.[8][2] In line with  the internal
guidelines on records management, where relevant messages were identified,
a screenshot of the message was taken, including the details of the sender
and recipient together with the date and time of the message (where
possible), imported into a WORD document and thereafter converted to PDF
format. Where there were multiple messages forming part of the same
message-thread or chat-thread, only the messages comprising the full
thread were identified in order to avoid unnecessary duplication.

Following those searches, a number of messages, relating to media
follow-up to the specific inquiry, were identified, which are attached to
this reply.

You will note that the documents are fully disclosed, save for the limited
redaction of personal data.[9][3] In order for personal data to be
transmitted to you, you must demonstrate that it is necessary for you to
have the data for a specific purpose in the public interest.[10][4] 

We trust that you find these explanations helpful.

Should you wish to challenge this decision, you may request a review under
Article 7(2) of Regulation 1049/2001 (‘confirmatory application’
procedure). You may do so by sending an e-mail to
[11][European Ombudsman request email] within 15 working days of having received this
decision.

Should you have any questions or requests for clarifications, you are
welcome to contact us at the email above.

Yours sincerely,

Tereza Mandjukova

 

Tereza Mandjukova
Transparency Officer
 
European Ombudsman
 
 
1 avenue du Président Robert Schuman
CS 30403
F - 67001 Strasbourg Cedex
[12]www.ombudsman.europa.eu

 

[1] Annex d to the Records Management Decision of 26 July 2022.

^2 Article 3 of the Records Management Decision.

^3 In line with Article 4(1)(b) of Regulation 1049/2001. These redactions
were made in line with Article 3 of the [13]Ombudsman’s Decision on
internal procedures for dealing with applications for public access to
documents and requests for information.

4 Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 2018/1725.

 

 

 

────────────────────────

[14][1] Annex d to the Records Management Decision of 26 July 2022.

[15]^^[2] ^ Article 3 of the Records Management Decision.

[16][3] In line with Article 4(1)(b) of Regulation 1049/2001. These
redactions were made in line with Article 3 of the Ombudsman’s Decision on
internal procedures for dealing with applications for public access to
documents and requests for information,
https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/docum....

[17][4] Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 2018/1725.

References

Visible links
1. file:///tmp/cid:filelist.xml@01DAECEA.CA902E40
2. file:///tmp/cid:editdata.mso
3. file:///tmp/~~themedata~~
4. file:///tmp/~~colorschememapping~~
5. https://www.asktheeu.org/en/request/text...
6. https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/docum...
7. file:///tmp/foiextract20240812-1074369-n6mqhy#_ftn1
8. file:///tmp/foiextract20240812-1074369-n6mqhy#_ftn2
9. file:///tmp/foiextract20240812-1074369-n6mqhy#_ftn3
10. file:///tmp/foiextract20240812-1074369-n6mqhy#_ftn4
11. mailto:[European Ombudsman request email]
12. European Ombudsman Home Page
http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/
13. https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/docum....
14. file:///tmp/foiextract20240812-1074369-n6mqhy#_ftnref1
15. file:///tmp/foiextract20240812-1074369-n6mqhy#_ftnref2
16. file:///tmp/foiextract20240812-1074369-n6mqhy#_ftnref3
17. file:///tmp/foiextract20240812-1074369-n6mqhy#_ftnref4