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It would be interesting to know WHY documents that are classified are later declassified, that is, the reason behind this. For example, why shouldn't they just remain classified?--200.14.108.1 19:00, 7 August 2007 (UTC)
Reasons for declassification
The passage of time or events, the lessening of perceived harm if disclosed, and correcting overclassification are the primary reasons for declassifying or downgrading security classifications. For example, ship movements before they sail may be classified information, but once they have finished their mission may no longer be of value. Another example, may be the content of a policy speech is protectible before the speech is given. In order to prevent confusion of what is current policy is before the speech is given, but once the speech is given there is no need to prevent dissimination because there is no longer a possibility of confusion during the transition period.
Current war plans typically are classified, but due to the passage of time world war II war plans may no longer qualified. —Preceding unsigned comment added by FOIAngel (talk • contribs) 16:29, 24 July 2009 (UTC)
This article only concerns the USA. It would be good to have informtation about other countries. Dpmuk 00:19, 20 August 2007 (UTC)
Acts of declassification
I saw a former intelligence official on television describing one of his superiors (DCI or maybe POTUS) as having "committed an act of declassification", which is apparently the intelligence community jargon for a high-level official publicly announcing something heretofore classified without going through the normal procedures (but not unlawfully, the official having legal authority to declassify). It would be nice to document this. 121a0012 (talk) 04:02, 24 August 2013 (UTC)
Should the nine US exemptions be listed?
The article refers to 9 reasons to avoid declassification at 25 years, but doesn't state what they are. Further, that information is quite difficult to find online elsewhere. Should these be included?
They are:
(1) reveal the identity of a confidential human source, or a human
intelligence source, or reveal information about the application of an
intelligence source or method;
(2) reveal information that would assist in the development or use of
weapons of mass destruction;
(3) reveal information that would impair U.S. cryptologic systems or
activities;
(4) reveal information that would impair the application of state of the
art technology within a U.S. weapon system;
(5) reveal actual U.S. military war plans that remain in effect;
(6) reveal information, including foreign government information, that
would seriously and demonstrably impair relations between the United States
and a foreign government, or seriously and demonstrably undermine ongoing
diplomatic activities of the United States;
(7) reveal information that would clearly and demonstrably impair the
current ability of United States Government officials to protect the
President, Vice President, and other protectees for whom protection
services, in the interest of the national security, are authorized;
(8) reveal information that would seriously and demonstrably impair current
national security emergency preparedness plans or reveal current
vulnerabilities of systems, installations, infrastructures, or projects
relating to the national security; or
(9) violate a statute, treaty, or international agreement. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.60.213.253 (talk) 00:15, 4 September 2015 (UTC)
