To think this is slightly unreasonable?

[Mummyalldayandnight]

I’ve made an FOI request to a public body (an academy trust) but they have refused to process the request and have said that they “believe that a pseudonym is being used”. Whilst I did use a pseudonym, the specific circumstances of this case meant that if I used my real name then it would have put my safety at risk, I have evidence to prove that it would have put my safety at risk. Is there anything that I can do to get them to process my FOI request?

Am I being unreasonable to think that they should just process my FOI request? At the end of the day it doesn’t matter who makes an FOI request, it is the information being disclosed as part of the request that matters.

Is it normal practice to refuse requests made from a pseudonym or is it worth complaining to the ICO?

You would have to admit to using a pseudonym in order for the ICO to investigate your complaint though.

Copies of a few specific internal emails. Can’t do a subject access even if I wanted to give my name because the emails are not about me, they are not about anyone in particular. I can explain why I need them if you require.

The ICO don’t ask for photo ID so if I went to them I might not need to admit it?

It’s in the ICO’s guidance that you should only ask if you have sufficient reasoning to believe it’s a pseudonym

FML.
They believed you were using a pseudonym. You are using a pseudonym. No. You can’t complain that they won’t process your request because they believe you are using a pseudonym, when you are using a pseudonym!

If they're nothing to do with you or yours, why do you want them?

Has no one here been following the fight for women's rights? FOIs are frequently published by the organisations asked them, on their websites. Men's rights activists can see the name of the person who made the FOI asking a question they don't like, and dox them, stalk and harass them.

Women have had their children threatened after posting very mild tiktoks, just a few days ago Maya Forstayer and Helen Joyce leaving a meeting in Manchester were surrounded as they walked down the street by protesters screaming 'fuck Helen Joyce'. Mostly the police stand and watch.

Making an FOI can be a risky thing, for a woman, and I'm surprised so many aren't aware of that.