As it turns out, you can ask the feds directly if they’ve been watching you, and they’re legally required to tell you (though they might not share it all).
In a viral Facebook Reel, content creator Sidney Raz walks viewers through the surprisingly straightforward process of finding out what information the FBI might have collected about them.
The process is simpler than most people expect, requiring just a few clicks on the FBI’s official website, according to the AI Google summary he was reading off of.
“You can ask the FBI if they have a file on you. Ask FBI for your file. Select the electronic FOIA PA option below. There it is,” Raz says.
For those unfamiliar with government acronyms, Raz clarifies that “FOIPA stands for Freedom of Information Privacy Act,” which combines the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act into one streamlined request system.
The idea of checking your FBI file isn’t just a trend. It’s rooted in a long history of government surveillance that extended far beyond criminal investigations.
According to the ACLU of Oregon, the FBI has monitored notable figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lennon, and Cesar Chavez, along with countless activists, protesters, and organizers.
The ACLU alleges that throughout its history, the FBI has engaged in surveillance that went beyond legitimate law enforcement activity, targeting people “who have simply had the courage to speak out against government policies.” That makes FBI file requests particularly relevant for people involved in social movements or political activism.
The FBI accepts requests through two main legal pathways: the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for requesting information about organizations, events, or other people, and the Privacy Act for requesting information about yourself, the FBI site states.
For personal records, there are two ways to request your file:
The FBI recommends including as much identifying information as possible to help locate any records, like your full name, aliases, date and place of birth, Social Security number, former addresses, and details about any specific incidents that might have generated a file.
The more specific you are, the better chance they have of finding relevant documents.
There’s no fee for basic searches, though you might be charged for copying costs if your file is extensive. The FBI warns that processing times can vary significantly depending on the complexity of your request and their current backlog, and some information may be redacted for national security or privacy reasons.
“If they didn’t have one, they sure do now!” a top comment read.
“Sounds like the fast way for the FBI to start a file on you!” a person said.
“Pro tip: if you ask and they don’t have one, ask again in two years bc they will def start one after you ask,” another speculated.
“I’ve named my FBI guy Frank, and I’m always quick to tell him (talk to my phone or webcam) that I’m just kidding if I say something I shouldn’t lol,” a commenter wrote.
BroBible reached out to Raz via email and Instagram direct message. We’ll be sure to update this if they respond.
