Oregon Public Records Law Disclosure and Email

On the Internet, Everything is Public. Repeat often.

Yes, we all live and will probably die, by email and other electronic communications, but you can also think about the words Privacy, Confidentiality, and Public Records (and maybe also the word Exemption).

Some of you may have already noticed this Warning in emails received from some Oregon government entities:

“PUBLIC RECORDS LAW DISCLOSURE

This e-mail is a public record of the City of xxx and is subject to public disclosure unless exempt from disclosure under Oregon Public Records Law. This email is subject to the State Retention Schedule.”

You can find information on Oregon public records laws in the ORS and at the Oregon Department of Justice website.