Declassification Policy Public Comments

On May 27, 2009, President Obama signed a Memorandum ordering the review of Executive Order 12958, as amended, “Classified National Security Information.” The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) recently solicited public input for revisions to the Order via an on-line Declassification Policy Forum in four topical areas: Declassification Policy, a National Declassification Center, Classification Policy, and Technology Challenges and Opportunities. Summaries of the public comments can be accessed on the Office of Science and Technology Policy’s (OSTP) Blog.

The PIDB also held a public meeting on July 8, 2009, to receive comments.

The PIDB is currently formulating their recommendations to the National Security Advisor, which will be issued shortly. The National Security Advisor must submit his review of the Order to the President by late-August.

In December 2007, the PIDB issued a comprehensive report to President Bush which included nearly fifty recommendations on improving the declassification process.