Back in January 2012, I wrote a blog post to mark a milestone: WhatDoTheyKnow, our Freedom of Information site, had processed 100,000 requests.

Just three years later, that number now stands at 250,000.

That represents a quarter of a million requests for information that have been processed through the site, and published for anyone to access.

Everything we said in that previous blog post still stands:

WhatDoTheyKnow was set up to give everyone, not just experts, access to information.

By publishing the requests and responses, it strives to create efficiencies for all.

And none of it would have been possible were it not for our wonderful, dedicated team of volunteers, who manage the site admin, help users with their queries, and diligently discuss and process any legal challenges that arise. Thank you, Ganesh, Alex, Alistair, Helen, John, Richard and Ben, and thank you, Francis for your legal advice.

As well as performing a service for the people of the UK, WhatDoTheyKnow also stands as an example of what’s possible. Much of our international activity focuses on helping partners use Alaveteli, our FOI software, to get Right To Know sites up and running in jurisdictions all over the world. It is great to be able to show them that an Alaveteli-based FOI site can thrive.

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