The Nation : Data Release Tightened

President Reagan signed an executive order strengthening the hand of companies who wish to block the release of information under the Freedom of Information Act that they consider confidential and competitive. The order comes on the heels of unsuccessful attempts by the Administration to amend the law to require advance notice to companies about the likely release of sensitive data. The order would permit companies that submit information to the government to designate material as confidential if its release could be expected to cause substantial competitive harm. In turn, the government would be required to notify a company when a preliminary decision was made to release the confidential information.