Discreet FOI Request UK
FOI Proxy UK provides discreet support for suitable Freedom of Information requests to UK public authorities.
The service is designed for people who want recorded information from a public authority but do not want their identity disclosed to that authority unless disclosure is legally required.
We review your suggested request, help refine the wording where needed, and submit suitable requests in FOI Proxy UK's own name using its own contact details.
Submit a Confidential FOI EnquiryWhy People Need Discreet FOI Support
Some FOI requests involve sensitive, professional, commercial, journalistic, employment-related or public-interest matters.
You may have a legitimate reason to request information, but still not want a council, NHS body, police force, regulator, university, college or government department to know who is behind the enquiry.
FOI Proxy UK offers a discreet route for suitable requests while keeping client details confidential unless disclosure is legally required.
How FOI Proxy UK Handles Requests
You tell us what information you want and identify the public authority that may hold it.
We review the enquiry, consider whether the request appears suitable for FOI, and help refine or narrow the wording where appropriate.
Before anything is submitted, we confirm the proposed wording and service level with you.
Where suitable, FOI Proxy UK submits the request in its own name using its own contact details.
What Remains Confidential
We treat your identity, contact details, instructions, payment information and background reason for the request as confidential.
The public authority receives the request from FOI Proxy UK, not from you.
We do not disclose your identity to the public authority unless disclosure is required by law, court order, regulatory requirement or another lawful obligation.
What the Public Authority Sees
When FOI Proxy UK submits a suitable request, the public authority receives:
- FOI Proxy UK's name
- FOI Proxy UK's contact details
- The wording of the FOI request
- Any clarification required to progress the request
The authority does not receive your name, email address, payment details or background reason for the request unless disclosure is legally required.
When a Discreet FOI Request May Help
This service may be useful for:
- Employees or former employees seeking information discreetly
- Journalists, researchers or campaigners exploring sensitive issues
- Businesses carrying out public-sector research
- People involved in disputes with public bodies
- Members of the public seeking information without being personally identified to the authority receiving the request
Important Limits
FOI Proxy UK does not guarantee that information will be disclosed.
Public authorities may refuse requests where information is not held, where the cost limit is exceeded, where an exemption applies, or where another lawful reason for refusal applies.
FOI is not normally the correct route for obtaining your own personal data. If you want information about yourself, a Subject Access Request may be more appropriate.
FOI Proxy UK is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
Start a Discreet FOI Enquiry
If you need discreet help requesting information from a UK public authority, you can submit a confidential enquiry to FOI Proxy UK.
We will review your enquiry and contact you before any request is submitted or payment is taken.
Submit a Confidential FOI Enquiry View Service Levels & Pricing