Ariz. court rules records law covers 'metadata'

By PAUL DAVENPORT Associated Press Writer

PHOENIX (AP) - An Arizona Supreme Court ruling says hidden data embedded in electronic public records must be disclosed under the state's public records law.

The Supreme Court's unanimous ruling Thursday overturns a lower court decision. It is one of the first rulings by a state appellate court on how public records law applies to so-called "metadata."

Metadata can show how and when a document was created or revised.

A Washington state appellate court ruled last year that metadata in e-mail received by a city's deputy mayor was a public record under Washington's public records law.

Unlike Arizona's public records law, the Washington law specifically says the data is subject to disclosure. The Washington case is pending before the Washington Supreme Court.