Documents on the "Check the Web" initiative

The request was partially successful.

Dear European Police Office,

In the recent months the "Check the Web" initiative by Europol was frequently mentioned in preventing radicalization online. However, very little is to be found on the initiative itself.

Under the right of access to documents in the EU treaties, as developed in Regulation 1049/2001, I am requesting documents which contain the following information:

Please send me the following Documents:

* Training handouts and material used in connection to Trainings for the Check The Web initiative
* Operating manuals for staff participating in the Check the Web initiative
* Presentations done on the Check the Web initiative especially if held in security conferences
* A comprehensive Budget of the Check the Web initiative
* A list of all collaborating countries and bodies
* A clear and concise Mission statement
* The laws Check the Web is based on

Yours faithfully,

Michael Bauer

G24 EU & International Law, European Police Office

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Bauer,

Thank you very much for your public access request, which will be processed by Europol in line with its rules and procedures on public access, as decided upon by the Europol management Board, and attached for your reference.

Kind regards,

G24 - EU & International Law

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Dear European Police Office,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of European Police Office's handling of my FOI request 'Documents on the "Check the Web" initiative'.

According to EU regulation I should have received a reply 15 working days after submitting the request. The request was sent on March 10th and, except a confirmation, no reply was recieved.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: http://www.asktheeu.org/en/request/docum...

Yours faithfully,

Michael Bauer

G24 EU & International Law, European Police Office

Dear Mr Bauer,
 
In line with the provisions of Art. 7(2) of the Management Board Decision
laying down the rules for access to Europol documents, please note that we
require an extension of the original deadline, due to the exceptional
circumstances of your request.
 
It is primarily due to additional aspects such as classification levels
being involved, that additional time is required to follow appropriate
internal procedures.
 
We thank you for your understanding,
 
G24 – EU & International Law
 

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G24 EU & International Law, European Police Office

7 Attachments

Dear Mr Bauer,
 
Thank you for your public access request.
 
In line with your request (Training handouts and material used in
connection to trainings for the Check The Web initiative, operating
manuals for staff participating in the Check the Web initiative,
presentations done on the Check the Web initiative especially if held in
security conferences, a comprehensive Budget of the Check the Web
initiative, a list of all collaborating countries and bodies, a clear and
concise Mission statement and the laws Check the Web is based on), Europol
has identified a number of documents matching the descriptions of your
request.
 

 1. Full Access

 
You requested access to documents containing the laws on which Check the
Web is based, a clear and concise mission statement, as well as documents
containing a comprehensive budget of Check the Web.
 
In this regard, you have been given full access to the public documents
applicable, which are attached:
 

 a. The Europol Council Decision
 a. The Rules applicable to Europol’s analytical work files
 a. The rules on Europol’s confidentiality
 a. The budget and staff establishment plan for 2015
 a. A link to the Europol Review for 2013
([1]https://www.europol.europa.eu/category/p...),
see specifically p. 57 as regards a mission statement

 

 2. Partial Access

 
You have been granted partial access to two documents which we have
identified as falling under the category you requested, specifically
operating manuals as well as presentations given.
 

 a. In response to your request, the Check the Web User Guide Manual has
been identified, to which Europol has decided to grant partial access.
The redactions made are clearly indicated, and concern screenshots, as
well as where applicable, any names, details about terrorist
organisations, material or websites, or websites concerned. This is
based on the exceptions provided for in Art. 4(1)(a) , as Europol
believes it would undermine the protection of the public interest as
regards public security including the safety of natural and legal
persons as well as investigations and operational activities of Member
States, third parties or EU bodies, as well as the proper fulfilment
of Europol’s tasks. This is due to the fact that the publication of
certain material, or the public raising of awareness of certain sites,
or material, publications, etc. would equate to the promotion or
making available of terrorist propaganda. Further, the publication of
the screenshots would pose a security risk to the platform itself,
allowing the identification of the technical and software solutions
implemented, together with access details, website and/or IP
addresses.

 

 b. Europol has identified one presentation which was given. Europol has
decided to provide partial access to the document, and redactions have
been made on the same basis as above concerning the Check the Web User
Guide Manual. Additionally, a redaction was made in line with Art.
4(1)(b) to protect the privacy and integrity of an individual.

 
 

 3. Refused Access

 
You have been refused access to one document covering some aspects of your
request, which is the Opening Order for the Analytical Work File Serious
and Organized Crime. Access to this document has been refused based upon
the exceptions in the MB rules in Art. 4(1)(a), in combination with Art.
9(3), and specifically as regards the fact that Europol believes that
publication of the document would undermine the public interest as regards
the public security including the safety of natural and legal persons as
well as investigations and operational activities of Member States, third
parties or EU bodies, as well as the proper fulfilment of Europol’s tasks.
 

 4. No documents

 
Please note that as regards your other requests concerning training
handouts and a comprehensive budget of Check the Web, no documents exist
falling within the scope. This is i.a. due to the fact that training is
provided in a live demonstration environment, and that Check the Web is
financed from the general Europol budget (attached already)
 
 
Please note that as far as full or partial refusals are concerned, within
30 working days, you may make an confirmatory application, in line with
Art.7(3) of the Management Board Rules, asking Europol to reconsider its
position
 
 
Kind regards,
 
G24 – EU & International Law
.
 
 
_____________________________________________
From: G24 EU & International Law
Sent: 28 April 2015 11:21 AM
To: '[FOI #1822 email]'
Cc: G24 EU & International Law
Subject: @EXT: Re: access to information request - Documents on the "Check
the Web" initiative
 
 
Dear Mr Bauer,
 
In line with the provisions of Art. 7(2) of the Management Board Decision
laying down the rules for access to Europol documents, please note that we
require an extension of the original deadline, due to the exceptional
circumstances of your request.
 
It is primarily due to additional aspects such as classification levels
being involved, that additional time is required to follow appropriate
internal procedures.
 
We thank you for your understanding,
 
G24 – EU & International Law
 

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