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set a time limit for classification review on new classified records
Whenever a new classified record is created, the person classifying it should set a time limit for when the new record should have its classification level reviewed. There should be a reasonable coherent justification for keeping records classified for lengthy periods or indefinitely. There should also be a default time period for having classified records become automatically declassified. No records should be classified in perpetuity without a very good reason.

Why Is This Idea Important?

A record can remain classified long after the rationale for keeping it secret has expired. Records ought to be declassified automatically when there is no public benefit to keeping them secret. This ought to free up a lot of historically valuable records and reduce the administrative burden of FOIA request management. The person making the original classification should be able to contemplate a time frame after which an automatic declassification should be harmless or otherwise in the public interest.
Comments
flyngrl 9 months ago
The writer obviously doesn't understand classification. Everything that is classified has a "release on" date when created. Also, the whole POINT of classification is that the particular information would pose a significant, severe, or grave threat to either national security or personnel.
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