Cash-strapped FOI watchdog delays probe into Sturgeon’s deleted Covid WhatsApps

The investigation into the deletion of government communications during the pandemic remains delayed due to resource constraints, raising serious doubts about whether critical decision-making data was properly retained for public scrutiny. This stall in accountability highlights a systemic failure where informal digital tools bypassed official records, undermining the legal requirement for transparent governance. The Scottish Information Commissioner warns that the current freedom of information framework is overwhelmed by increasing demand and insufficient staff, risking a collapse in enforcement capacity. The Commissioner argues that without dedicated funding for proactive interventions, the system will continue to react only after transparency failures occur, necessitating a structural shift toward early support for public bodies. This situation is vital to open data advocates as it illustrates the urgent need for digital preservation standards that prevent the loss of institutional memory. The case serves as a stark warning that without robust recording duties and adequate regulatory resources, citizens’ right to access information remains vulnerable to arbitrary deletion and bureaucratic negligence.

Source: glasgowtimes.co.uk
Published on 2025-11-01

Cash-strapped FOI watchdog delays probe into Sturgeon’s deleted Covid WhatsApps

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