
Alaveteli
Our software for running Freedom of Information websites. It’s currently powering websites that help people in 25 jurisdictions to submit FOI requests and publish the responses. Between them, these sites have processed and published over 100,000 requests this year.
“The WhatDoTheyKnow.com service helps tackle some of the scourges in our society including political spin and fake news. I volunteer because I want to see this hugely valuable service survive, and thrive.”Richard Taylor WhatDoTheyKnow Volunteer

10 years of information
WhatDoTheyKnow, our own UK site for making and publishing Freedom of Information requests, was launched in 2008. We celebrated the tenth anniversary with a party during which we learned that:
- WhatDoTheyKnow was originally to have been given the snappy name Freedom of Information Filer and Archive, and when it was first conceived, we thought users would have to scan in the responses they received.
- The WhatDoTheyKnow team are ‘not FOI fans specifically’ and ‘would rather people didn’t have to make FOI requests’ (because information would be released proactively).
- mySociety’s Georgie can turn her hand to car repairs, and did just that for our Belgian partner Claude when he had the misfortune of a flat tyre right outside the party venue.
“I’m proud of the work we do. Quite often when I talk about it to people I meet, their faces light up, and they say ’I’ve used that loads!’.”Louise Head of Development
“I love that we’re working towards a society where power is more balanced.”Gemma Events and Alaveteli Partnership Manager
500,000 requests
Serendipity! The stars aligned, and WhatDoTheyKnow processed its half a millionth request… on International Right To Know Day.
500,000 requests on @WhatDoTheyKnow - an amazing milestone reached and on #RightToKnowDay as well. Could not have scripted it better. https://t.co/cLeFbVyq7G
— Mark Cridge (@markcridge) September 28, 2018
At the 10yr birthday party of @mySociety's @WhatDoTheyKnow platform and am reminded of why we should never take #foi law for granted. It remains the best platform for submitting foi requests and sharing responses.
— Rachel Rank (@rachelerank) July 3, 2018
Thanks for providing such a great FOI resource for 10 years. Immensely helpful to many, including journalism students learning how to FOI fly
— Mark Hanna (@MarkHannaMedia) February 22, 2018
It's great to see @mySociety's wonderful @WhatDoTheyKnow thriving after ten years. I'm proud to be one of the people who originally suggested it. https://t.co/MwWOlo42GS pic.twitter.com/AyVoIXhWeF
— Phil Rodgers (@PhilRodgers) February 22, 2018