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Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Subject: IRS Sued Over Erased Instant Messages

A watchdog group sued the IRS on Monday accusing the agency of failing to store instant messages as part of its official records, and demanding a federal judge step in and order the agency to comply with the Federal Records Act.

Conservative group Cause of Action had tried to use open-records laws to get a peek at top IRS officials’ messages, but was told the agency only stored instant messages for a maximum of 14 days, then wiped them in order to clear up storage space, under a deal the IRS struck with its labor union.

That, however, runs afoul of federal policy, which says computer instant messages, like text messages, should be treated the same as emails, and stored for posterity if they detail substantive agency business.

“It appears that federal records are being deleted because the IRS, in a deal with its employee union, refuses to preserve certain types of electronic communications,” said Alfred J. Lechner Jr., president of the Cause of Action Institute.

More here

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is one reason why no public service workers should be represented by any union. Unions have gone above and beyond their original purpose and have usurped authority where it does not belong. Just look at how they have ruined the economic climate in this country with excess wages and benefits. That's why so many businesses go overseas. And now to cover up wrongdoing by striking deals with government officials? Replace workers in public service with ones who actually care about our country and its wellbeing!

Anonymous said...

Where was John Kosekein(sp?) when this was happening? Letting the UNION tell him how to run the IRS?????

lmclain said...

Why don't "we, the people" do that when we know we are under investigation, or will be asked about some things in the near future, and it could be a criminal matter???
Because we would already be in jail.
Two sets of laws.
It cannot be denied.
Keep cheering....