Critics argue that the Los Angeles city’s utilization of Google Chat messages, which auto-delete after 24 hours, circumvents the California Public Records Act, raising concerns about transparency.
"The City of L.A. has a history of corruption and self-dealing... when records are deleted purposefully, it undermines democracy and facilitates corruption," stated Jamie T. Hall, attorney.
City officials admit that employees have had the option to use permanently auto-deleted messages, yet they failed to clarify compliance with public records laws and retention policies.
The Crane Boulevard Safety Coalition reported that the city's approval processes may lack transparency due to practices such as holding closed-door meetings and restricting public involvement.
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