FOI request for internet search data policy at public institutions (universities)

The request was refused by Middlesex University.

Open Rights Group

Dear Middlesex University,

I am writing as a research volunteer at the Open Rights Group. We are conducting a study to better understand filtering and blocking of websites on the public estate, to understand what content and sites are inaccessible and why. I am writing to ask about this in relation to Universities. We are following up our previous FOI requests with a refined list of questions to make the answers uniform and suitable for analysis. With this in mind, please answer the questions as directly as possible.

We would like to know, in relation to your publicly accessible Internet networks, or Internet networks for your clients:

1. The categories of content blocked or filtered, e.g.:
(a) Security or Malware
(b) Content types, eg adult, alcohol etc

2. Statistics relating to the requests blocked or filtered, eg how many site requests filtered or blocked per category

3. Monitoring requirements you have for users, eg if you record or may record their Internet usage

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

Markos Volikas

John Gilchrist, Middlesex University

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Volikas,

 

I acknowledge your request for information received on 11 March 2018.

 

Your request is being considered and if the information is held you will
receive the information requested within the statutory timescale of 20
working days as defined by the Freedom of Information Act 2000, subject to
the information not being exempt.

 

I may contact you if the request needs to be clarified; this is to ensure
that we provide you with the information you require.

 

Please note that some information you have requested may not be provided
to you; this will only be information that can be withheld by law.  In
most cases the reasons will be explained to you along with your copy of
any information that can be released to you.

 

If for any reason we are unable to provide you with a full response within
the statutory timescale, we will contact you explaining the reasons for
this and giving a revised date by which we will reply.

 

Best wishes,

John.

 

John Gilchrist

Information Governance Officer

 

Middlesex University

The Burroughs

Hendon

London NW4 4BT

T: +44(0) 208 411 4061

E: [1][email address]

W: [2]mdx.ac.uk

 

[3]cid:image001.png@01D2D630.5B558030

 

For further information as to how we process personal data:
[4]http://www.mdx.ac.uk/about-us/policies/p...

 

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.mdx.ac.uk/
4. http://www.mdx.ac.uk/about-us/policies/p...

John Gilchrist, Middlesex University

2 Attachments

Dear Mr Volikas

 

Please see attached the response to your FOI request made on 11 March
2018.

 

Best wishes,

John

 

John Gilchrist

Information Governance Officer

 

Middlesex University

The Burroughs

Hendon

London NW4 4BT

T: +44(0) 208 411 4061

E: [1][email address]

W: [2]mdx.ac.uk

 

[3]cid:image001.png@01D2D630.5B558030

 

For further information as to how we process personal data:
[4]http://www.mdx.ac.uk/about-us/policies/p...

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.mdx.ac.uk/
4. http://www.mdx.ac.uk/about-us/policies/p...