Chatbots and Artificial Intelligence
Dear FOIA officers of the European Commission,
We humbly request, with politeness and tact,
All information you may have on file, in fact,
Concerning the use of chatbots and AI,
Pursuant to Regulation 1049, oh my, oh my,
In the playful style of Dr. Seuss, with rhyme,
We seek this knowledge for a specific reason,
To ensure transparency and promote the common good,
We thank you in advance, for doing what you should,
And fulfilling this request, as any good government would.
Sincerely,
Mathias Schindler
Dear Sir or Madam,
We are writing to you concerning your request for access to documents sent
on 05/12/2022 and registered on 07/12/2022 under case number 2022/7068.
Since you have not indicated your postal address, we are not able to start
handling your request. The 15 working days to reply to your request will
start running only when you send us your postal address.
You can send your postal address by replying to this e-mail. If we do not
receive your reply we may close this case.
Please note that you can submit a request for access to Commission
documents via the portal [1]'Request a Commission document', which does
not require you to indicate your postal address.
Why do we need your personal postal address?
Since 1 April 2014, the submission of a postal address became a mandatory
feature when submitting an application for access to Commission documents
via an e-mail. We would like to explain why we need your postal address in
order to register and handle your application for access to documents when
submitted via e-mail:
• Firstly, to obtain legal certainty as regards the date you received
the European Commission reply to your application for public access to
documents. Article 297 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the
European Union (TFEU) states that 'decisions which specify to whom
they are addressed, shall be notified to those to whom they are
addressed and shall take effect upon such notification.' In line with
this provision, if the Commission does not grant full access to the
requested documents, it notifies the reply to the applicant via
registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt or via delivery
service. This requires an indication of a valid postal address by the
applicant;
• Secondly, to apply correctly the [2]Data Protection Regulation (EU)
2018/1725. Knowing whether the applicant is an EU resident (or not) is
necessary for deciding which conditions shall apply for the
transmissions of personal data to applicants for access to documents.
These conditions are not the same for recipients established in the
Union and for recipients in third countries. As the vast majority of
the documents requested contain personal data, the Commission cannot
ensure the correct application of the data protection rules in the
absence of a postal address;
• Thirdly, to apply correctly [3]Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001. Article
4(1)(b) of that Regulation refers to the protection of the privacy and
integrity of the individual and has to be applied in line with the
Data Protection Regulation;
• Fourthly, to protect the interest of other citizens and safeguard the
principle of good administration. The Commission has to treat all
citizens equally by ensuring that the legal framework for public
access to documents is respected. For example, it has to verify
whether Article 6(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 is being evaded
by introducing several requests under different identities. Indeed, in
its Ryanair judgment ([4]EU:T:2010:511), the General Court confirmed
that Article 6(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 cannot be evaded by
splitting an application into several, seemingly separate, parts. In
addition, the Commission has to make sure that the legal framework is
respected and the right of access to documents is not abused by making
requests under an invented identity.
The considerations above show that the request for and the consequent
processing of the applicant's postal address is not only appropriate, but
also strictly necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the
public interest within the meaning of Article 5(1)(a) of Data Protection
Regulation, namely providing a smooth and effective access to documents.
Yours faithfully,
Secretariat-General - Access to Documents
European Commission
References
Visible links
1. https://www.ec.europa.eu/transparency/do...
2. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
3. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
4. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
Oh European Commission, thy request doth cause me woe,
For thou dost already possess my postal address, as I doth know,
And thy request doth contravene the Ombudsman's ruling, as doth show,
In decision 682/2014/JF, which doth clearly state that no address doth need be so.
Thus I must respectfully reject thy request, and ask that thou dost let it go,
For it doth serve no purpose, and doth only impede my right to know,
The information that I seek, which is my legal right to behold,
And which thou dost hold in thy possession, as thy duty doth unfold.
I trust that thou wilt understand, and withdraw thy request with all due haste,
And allow me to continue my search, without further waste,
For knowledge and truth, which are the foundations of our democracy,
And without which we cannot hope to thrive, or build a better society.
So I bid thee farewell, and bid thee well, in thy endeavors to serve the public good,
But do not let thy request stand in the way, of my quest for knowledge, as I ever would.
Sincerely,
Mathias Schindler
Your message has been received by the Transparency Unit of the
Secretariat-General of the European Commission.
Requests for public access to documents are treated on the basis of
[1]Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to
European Parliament, Council and Commission documents.
The Secretariat-General will reply to your request within 15 working days
upon registration of your request and will duly inform you of the
registration of the request (or of any additional information to be
provided in view of its registration and/or treatment).
L’unité «Transparence» du secrétariat général de la Commission européenne
a bien reçu votre message.
Les demandes d’accès du public aux documents sont traitées sur la base du
[2]règlement (CE) n° 1049/2001 du 30 mai 2001 relatif à l’accès du public
aux documents du Parlement européen, du Conseil et de la Commission.
Le secrétariat général répondra à votre demande dans un délai de 15 jours
ouvrables à compter de la date d’enregistrement de votre demande, et vous
informera de cet enregistrement (ou vous indiquera toute information
supplémentaire à fournir en vue de l'enregistrement et/ou du traitement de
votre demande).
Ihre Nachricht ist beim Referat „Transparenz“ des Generalsekretariats der
Europäischen Kommission eingegangen.
Anträge auf Zugang zu Dokumenten werden auf der Grundlage der
[3]Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1049/2001 vom 30. Mai 2001 über den Zugang der
Öffentlichkeit zu Dokumenten des Europäischen Parlaments, des Rates und
der Kommission behandelt.
Das Generalsekretariat beantwortet Ihre Anfrage innerhalb von
15 Arbeitstagen nach deren Registrierung und wird Sie über die
Registrierung Ihres Antrags (oder die Notwendigkeit weiterer Informationen
im Hinblick auf dessen Registrierung und/oder Bearbeitung) unterrichten.
References
Visible links
1. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
2. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
3. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
Dear European Commission, oh how we plead
Please register our FOIA request, we're in dire need
We sent it in days ago, with great care
But still no response, it's just not fair
We read the rules, we know our stuff
Article 7, paragraph 1, sentence 2, was clear enough
But still you ignore our desperate plea
Please confirm the registration, it's the least you can do
We know you're busy, with many things to do
But this request is important, we really need it through
So please, don't make us wait any longer
Confirm the registration, and make us stronger
We'll be patient, we'll give you time
But please don't leave us hanging, on this precarious line
So European Commission, we beg of you
Please confirm the registration, and we'll be forever true
Thank you for your time, and for listening to our plea
We know you'll do the right thing, and confirm the registration for us, hopefully.
Yours faithfully,
Mathias Schindler
Your message has been received by the Transparency Unit of the
Secretariat-General of the European Commission.
Requests for public access to documents are treated on the basis of
[1]Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to
European Parliament, Council and Commission documents.
The Secretariat-General will reply to your request within 15 working days
upon registration of your request and will duly inform you of the
registration of the request (or of any additional information to be
provided in view of its registration and/or treatment).
L’unité «Transparence» du secrétariat général de la Commission européenne
a bien reçu votre message.
Les demandes d’accès du public aux documents sont traitées sur la base du
[2]règlement (CE) n° 1049/2001 du 30 mai 2001 relatif à l’accès du public
aux documents du Parlement européen, du Conseil et de la Commission.
Le secrétariat général répondra à votre demande dans un délai de 15 jours
ouvrables à compter de la date d’enregistrement de votre demande, et vous
informera de cet enregistrement (ou vous indiquera toute information
supplémentaire à fournir en vue de l'enregistrement et/ou du traitement de
votre demande).
Ihre Nachricht ist beim Referat „Transparenz“ des Generalsekretariats der
Europäischen Kommission eingegangen.
Anträge auf Zugang zu Dokumenten werden auf der Grundlage der
[3]Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1049/2001 vom 30. Mai 2001 über den Zugang der
Öffentlichkeit zu Dokumenten des Europäischen Parlaments, des Rates und
der Kommission behandelt.
Das Generalsekretariat beantwortet Ihre Anfrage innerhalb von
15 Arbeitstagen nach deren Registrierung und wird Sie über die
Registrierung Ihres Antrags (oder die Notwendigkeit weiterer Informationen
im Hinblick auf dessen Registrierung und/oder Bearbeitung) unterrichten.
References
Visible links
1. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
2. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
3. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
My dear Commission, I implore,
To hear my plea and grant my request once more.
I filed a FOIA, under Regulation 1049/2001/EC,
GESTDEM 2022/7068, it's case number, if you please.
I sought the truth, on chatbots and AI,
To understand their role, that's why I did try.
But alas, the deadlines passed, with nary a reply,
Leaving me in FOIA limbo, with a heavy sigh.
So now I file, a confirmatory application,
Citing Article 7(4) as my justification.
It states quite clearly, that I am entitled to a reply,
Without undue delay, or the matter shall fly.
I ask the Commission, to hear my plea,
Don't leave me in this FOIA limbo, set me free!
Respond to me, with all due speed,
And let the truth on chatbots and AI, be freed.
I insist upon, a verbose and rhyming reply,
That will be appreciated, with a chuckle and a sigh,
So please Commission, do not delay,
GESTDEM 2022/7068, is where I'll wait.
My dear Commission, the story unfolds,
At a website, where the truth is told,
Go to asktheeu.org, and type in the code,
bestowed.
http://www.asktheeu.org/en/request/chatb...
Yours faithfully,
Mathias Schindler
Dear Sir,
We will not be able to register your confirmatory application since your
initial request could not be registered in the absence of postal address
(re. email sent to you on 7 December 2022).
Best regards
ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS TEAM (IC)
European Commission
Secretariat-General
SG.C1 (Transparency, Document Management and Access to Documents)
[email address]
Dear [email address],
With Regulation 1049 in mind,
My request to you I did remind,
For information, I did implore,
But you refused, and locked the door.
My postal address, I did provide,
But still, they refused to abide,
You said my request could not be made,
But that is simply not the trade.
I urge you now to take a glance,
And see my request given a chance,
For transparency is key,
And my right, as you'll agree.
So let us not delay,
But register my request today,
For the people have a right to know,
As the law does clearly show.
Yours sincerely,
Mathias Schindler
Your message has been received by the Transparency Unit of the
Secretariat-General of the European Commission.
Requests for public access to documents are treated on the basis of
[1]Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to
European Parliament, Council and Commission documents.
The Secretariat-General will reply to your request within 15 working days
upon registration of your request and will duly inform you of the
registration of the request (or of any additional information to be
provided in view of its registration and/or treatment).
L’unité «Transparence» du secrétariat général de la Commission européenne
a bien reçu votre message.
Les demandes d’accès du public aux documents sont traitées sur la base du
[2]règlement (CE) n° 1049/2001 du 30 mai 2001 relatif à l’accès du public
aux documents du Parlement européen, du Conseil et de la Commission.
Le secrétariat général répondra à votre demande dans un délai de 15 jours
ouvrables à compter de la date d’enregistrement de votre demande, et vous
informera de cet enregistrement (ou vous indiquera toute information
supplémentaire à fournir en vue de l'enregistrement et/ou du traitement de
votre demande).
Ihre Nachricht ist beim Referat „Transparenz“ des Generalsekretariats der
Europäischen Kommission eingegangen.
Anträge auf Zugang zu Dokumenten werden auf der Grundlage der
[3]Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1049/2001 vom 30. Mai 2001 über den Zugang der
Öffentlichkeit zu Dokumenten des Europäischen Parlaments, des Rates und
der Kommission behandelt.
Das Generalsekretariat beantwortet Ihre Anfrage innerhalb von
15 Arbeitstagen nach deren Registrierung und wird Sie über die
Registrierung Ihres Antrags (oder die Notwendigkeit weiterer Informationen
im Hinblick auf dessen Registrierung und/oder Bearbeitung) unterrichten.
References
Visible links
1. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
2. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
3. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
Dear Sir,
We are very sorry but we still need to receive your postal address to
enable us to deal with your request. Could you kindly send it?
Thank you,
Kind regards
ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS TEAM (IC)
European Commission
Secretariat-General
SG.C1 (Transparency, Document Management and Access to Documents)
[email address]
Dear [email address],
For many years, I've filed with care,
FOIA requests, with utmost flair,
You have my addresses, many a few,
Just pick the most recent, it will do.
I've told you once, and then again,
You have my address, it's not a sham,
So why this delay, this stubborn stance,
Let's not go back and re-advance.
We need not prove, it's plain to see,
My address is on file, can't you agree?
Let's move ahead, with speed and grace,
And fulfill my request with proper pace.
Yours sincerely,
Mathias Schindler
Dear Mr Schindler,
Could you please confirm that we can use the following postal address ?
Hermann Mattern-Promenade 25, 14469 Potsdam Germany
At the same time we would like to inform you that you may want to make
requests via EASE portal without the need to provide your postal address
[1]https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/docume....
Thank you.
Best regards
ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS TEAM (IC)
European Commission
Secretariat-General
SG.C1 (Transparency, Document Management and Access to Documents)
[email address]
Dear [email address],
The address you've provided is correct,
No need for further checks, as a matter of fact,
If your EASE portal does not require a postal address,
Why make a fuss, with such excess?
Though you may ask for confirmation,
My request, it needs registration,
You already had this kind of proof,
But still, my request is in the roof.
There's no need to ask again,
You already know, it's not a strain,
No basis in law for this delay,
Let's move forward, let's pave the way.
So let us not waste time,
But register my confirmatory chime,
For transparency is key,
And my right, as you'll agree.
Yours sincerely,
Mathias Schindler
Your message has been received by the Transparency Unit of the
Secretariat-General of the European Commission.
Requests for public access to documents are treated on the basis of
[1]Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to
European Parliament, Council and Commission documents.
The Secretariat-General will reply to your request within 15 working days
upon registration of your request and will duly inform you of the
registration of the request (or of any additional information to be
provided in view of its registration and/or treatment).
L’unité «Transparence» du secrétariat général de la Commission européenne
a bien reçu votre message.
Les demandes d’accès du public aux documents sont traitées sur la base du
[2]règlement (CE) n° 1049/2001 du 30 mai 2001 relatif à l’accès du public
aux documents du Parlement européen, du Conseil et de la Commission.
Le secrétariat général répondra à votre demande dans un délai de 15 jours
ouvrables à compter de la date d’enregistrement de votre demande, et vous
informera de cet enregistrement (ou vous indiquera toute information
supplémentaire à fournir en vue de l'enregistrement et/ou du traitement de
votre demande).
Ihre Nachricht ist beim Referat „Transparenz“ des Generalsekretariats der
Europäischen Kommission eingegangen.
Anträge auf Zugang zu Dokumenten werden auf der Grundlage der
[3]Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1049/2001 vom 30. Mai 2001 über den Zugang der
Öffentlichkeit zu Dokumenten des Europäischen Parlaments, des Rates und
der Kommission behandelt.
Das Generalsekretariat beantwortet Ihre Anfrage innerhalb von
15 Arbeitstagen nach deren Registrierung und wird Sie über die
Registrierung Ihres Antrags (oder die Notwendigkeit weiterer Informationen
im Hinblick auf dessen Registrierung und/oder Bearbeitung) unterrichten.
References
Visible links
1. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
2. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
3. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
Dear Sir or Madam,
We hereby acknowledge the receipt of your request for access to documents
sent on 05/12/2022 and registered on 12/01/2023 under the case number
2022/7068.
We will handle your request within 15 working days as of the date of
registration. The time-limit expires on 02/02/2023. We will let you know
if we need to extend this time limit for additional 15 working days.
To find more information on how we process your personal data, please see
[1]the privacy statement.
Yours faithfully,
Secretariat-General - Access to Documents
European Commission
References
Visible links
1. https://ec.europa.eu/info/principles-and...
Dear Mr. Schindler,
We are writing concerning your request for access to Commission documents
registered on 12 January 2023 under case number 2022/7068.
Please note that your request has been understood to cover the “use of
chatbots and AI” within the Commission. It has been assigned to the
Directorate-General for Informatics and a reply is under preparation.
However, we have not yet been able to gather all the elements necessary to
carry out a full analysis of your request. We will not be able to send you
the reply within the prescribed time limit expiring on 2 February.
Your application concerns a complex matter for which different unit of the
Directorate-General and third parties must be consulted.
Please be informed that in line with Article 7(3) of [1]Regulation (EC) No
1049/2001, we need to extend this time limit by 15 additional working
days. The new time limit expires on 23 February 2023.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Kind regards,
DG Informatics Access to Documents
References
Visible links
1. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
Dear Mr. Schindler,
Please find attached the reply to your access to document request registered under the reference mentioned above.
Kindly confirm receipt via a separate email message.
Kind regards,
DIGIT Access to document
Dear Mr SCHINDLER,
We would like to provide you with information on the state of play of your
access to document request registered on 12/01/2023 under case number
2023/0771.
We have analysed all the files, determined the documents which fall within
the scope of the request. We are now awaiting the feedback of the services
that needed to be consulted. Once we get their feedback, it will be
integrated into our final response to you.
Please rest assured that we are working on your request.
Thank you very much for your patience!
Kind regards,
JUST ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS team
Hello,
Please find attached a message concerning your request for access to
Commission documents registered under the above case number 2023/0770.
Please acknowledge the receipt of this message by return email.
Kind regards,
Hello,
Please find attached a message concerning your request for access to
Commission documents registered under the above case number 2023/0770.
Please acknowledge the receipt of this message by return email.
Kind regards,
Hello,
Please find attached a message concerning your request for access to
Commission documents registered under the above case number 2023/0770.
Please acknowledge the receipt of this message by return email.
Kind regards,
Hello,
Please find attached a message concerning your request for access to
Commission documents registered under the above case number 2023/0770.
Please acknowledge the receipt of this message by return email.
Kind regards,
Dear Mr. SCHINDLER,
Please find attached our reply concerning your application for access to
documents – EASE 2023/0771.
With kind regards,
JUST ACCESS DOCUMENTS
[1]Just Logo
European Commission
Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers
Rue Montoyer 59
B-1049 Brussels, Belgium
References
Visible links
1. http://ec.europa.eu/justice/index_en.htm
Dear Mr. SCHINDLER,
Please find attached our reply concerning your application for access to
documents – EASE 2023/0771.
With kind regards,
JUST ACCESS DOCUMENTS
[1]Just Logo
European Commission
Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers
Rue Montoyer 59
B-1049 Brussels, Belgium
References
Visible links
1. http://ec.europa.eu/justice/index_en.htm
Dear Mr. SCHINDLER,
Please find attached our reply concerning your application for access to
documents – EASE 2023/0771.
With kind regards,
JUST ACCESS DOCUMENTS
[1]Just Logo
European Commission
Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers
Rue Montoyer 59
B-1049 Brussels, Belgium
References
Visible links
1. http://ec.europa.eu/justice/index_en.htm
Dear Mr. SCHINDLER,
Please find attached our reply concerning your application for access to
documents – EASE 2023/0771.
With kind regards,
JUST ACCESS DOCUMENTS
[1]Just Logo
European Commission
Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers
Rue Montoyer 59
B-1049 Brussels, Belgium
References
Visible links
1. http://ec.europa.eu/justice/index_en.htm
Dear Mr. SCHINDLER,
Please find attached our reply concerning your application for access to
documents – EASE 2023/0771.
With kind regards,
JUST ACCESS DOCUMENTS
[1]Just Logo
European Commission
Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers
Rue Montoyer 59
B-1049 Brussels, Belgium
References
Visible links
1. http://ec.europa.eu/justice/index_en.htm
Dear Mr. SCHINDLER,
Please find attached our reply concerning your application for access to
documents – EASE 2023/0771.
With kind regards,
JUST ACCESS DOCUMENTS
[1]Just Logo
European Commission
Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers
Rue Montoyer 59
B-1049 Brussels, Belgium
References
Visible links
1. http://ec.europa.eu/justice/index_en.htm
Dear Mr. SCHINDLER,
Please find attached our reply concerning your application for access to
documents – EASE 2023/0771.
With kind regards,
JUST ACCESS DOCUMENTS
[1]Just Logo
European Commission
Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers
Rue Montoyer 59
B-1049 Brussels, Belgium
References
Visible links
1. http://ec.europa.eu/justice/index_en.htm