Guide to information published by the Scottish Government

Guide to information: information we may withhold

Our aim is to be as open as possible. You should note that there may be circumstances where information will be withheld from publication.

Information will only be withheld, however, where FOISA (or, in the case of environmental information, the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004) expressly permits it.

Information may be withheld, for example, where its disclosure would breach the law of confidentiality, harm commercial interests, or endanger the protection of the environment. Information may also be withheld if it is another person's personal information, and its release would breach the data protection legislation.

Where we withhold information we will remove it or redact it before publication and explain why.

If you wish to complain about any information which has been withheld from you, please contact us.