BETA
Chapter 1
The vault of classification
Chapter 2
When the truth leaks out
Chapter 3
Cold War cover-ups and conspiracies
Chapter 4
The delicate balance of democracy
Ch 1 · The vault of classification
estellamendoza78 Match public statements with classified files to learn how governments hide the truth.
estellamendoza78 Thick black redaction bars cover classified text on a government document.
Quiz
What is the term for blacking out sensitive information in a document before public release?
BETA
dennis Decode redacted files to discover the secrets governments hide from the public.
dennis Redaction is the process of obscuring sensitive text before documents are released to the public.
Quiz
Which US President officially established the modern three-tiered classification system in 1951?
Quiz
What must a US federal agency do if they deny a Freedom of Information Act request?
Fun Fact
Classification volume: The United States government classified an estimated 49 million documents in 2017 alone, averaging more than one secret per second.
dennis Most government secrets have an expiration date, after which they must be revealed.
Quiz
Under current US rules, how many years can pass before documents are usually automatically declassified?
Quiz
How many exemptions exist under the US Freedom of Information Act to protect sensitive information?
Glossary
classification (noun)
The action or process of classifying something according to shared qualities or characteristics. In 1951, President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 10290 to establish the modern official state secrecy system.
The action or process of classifying something according to shared qualities or characteristics. In 1951, President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 10290 to establish the modern official state secrecy system.
Quiz
Which tier of classification is defined as causing 'exceptionally grave damage' if leaked?