The following comments on agency/docket # OMB Number 1110–0NEW, FBI Lawful Access Data Collection, are offered in my individual capacity as a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute, its management, or its board of directors.
According to the FBI abstract for this data collection as printed in the April 24, 2023, edition of the Federal Register, the alleged purpose of this collection is to “collect data on the volume of law enforcement investigations that are negatively impacted by device and software encryption.”
OMB Circular A‑130, “Managing Information as a Strategic Resource” (7/28/2016) states on p. 84 as follows: