The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a U.S. federal law that grants the public the right to request and access records from federal government agencies, except for those protected by specific exemptions. Enacted in 1966, FOIA promotes transparency and accountability in government by allowing citizens, journalists, and organizations to obtain information about government activities, decisions, and policies. Agencies are required to respond to FOIA requests within a set timeframe, although some information may be withheld for reasons such as national security or personal privacy.