In which year did the Department of Defense update its FOIA program regulation to include electronic changes?

The Department of Defense updated its Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) program regulation in 1998 to incorporate electronic changes. This revision was a significant step towards modernizing the FOIA process, which included the adaptation of electronic records and the facilitation of requests in the digital age. By acknowledging the growing importance of electronic communication and storage, the Department aimed to enhance transparency and accessibility to information for the public. This update was part of a broader trend during the late 1990s when many government agencies were beginning to recognize the need to adapt their policies and practices to the rapidly evolving technological landscape. Such changes help ensure that the public can access information in a manner that is more efficient and user-friendly, reflecting the shift from traditional paper-based processes to electronic ones.