January 12, 2026

Author: Emma Conway, Marketing Communications Manager

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a cornerstone of government transparency in the United States. It grants the public the right to access records from federal agencies, promoting accountability and openness. Under FOIA, agencies must disclose requested information unless it falls under specific exemptions, such as national security or personal privacy. Additionally, agencies are required to make frequently requested records available online. There is no charge associated with submitting a FOIA request unless the agency spends more than two hours gathering the requested information, at which point a modest charge may be applied. 

For municipalities, responding to FOIA requests can be complex. Requests often include communication records, such as text messages, which traditionally require coordination with cell phone providers and sometimes court orders. This process can be time-consuming and challenging, making it essential for municipalities to adopt solutions that simplify compliance.

TextMyGov helps municipalities meet FOIA requirements by automatically logging and storing all text-based interactions between the public and government agencies. This centralized database ensures that communication records are easily accessible and reportable when needed.  

All TextMyGov Client Admins can download message logs from any date range straight from the TextMyGov Dashboard. Municipalities can gather this information without any assistance from the TextMyGov Support Team, though support is always available. By maintaining accurate and secure records, TextMyGov eliminates the need for lengthy retrieval processes and supports full transparency.

Municipalities using TextMyGov can be confident that their communication practices align with federal law. Our platform is designed to simplify compliance, reduce administrative burden, and uphold the principles of open government.