The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) is a law that provides the public with a right of access to certain information held by public authorities. It is often used by private individuals, the media and businesses to obtain information.
Whilst the Act applies to public authorities, it can also have an effect upon private businesses in certain situations – for example, where a business has tendered to provide services to a public authority, it is sometimes possible that certain information relating to that process could be disclosed to a person who makes an application for the information under the FOIA.