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2020 Decennial Census: Processing the Count: Disclosure Avoidance Modernization

2020 Decennial Census: Processing the Count: Disclosure Avoidance Modernization

Modern computers and today’s data-rich world have rendered the Census Bureau’s traditional confidentiality protection methods obsolete. Those legacy methods are no match for hackers aiming to piece together the identities of the people and businesses behind published data.  ​

A powerful new disclosure avoidance system (DAS) designed to withstand modern re-identification threats will protect 2020 Census data products (other than the apportionment data; those state-level totals remain unaltered by statistical noise). ​

The 2020 DAS is based on a framework for assessing privacy risk known as differential privacy. It is the only solution that can respond to this threat while maximizing the availability and utility of published census data. ​

Learn more about the disclosure avoidance system in the resources below.

2020 Census Data Product Development

Learn more about the development of demonstration data and performance metrics for each of the planned data products.

Meet Dr. Sallie Ann Keller, Our New Chief Scientist

Protecting Privacy in Census Bureau Statistics

Protecting Privacy with MATH

Census Privacy Protection History

Data Product Newsletters


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  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022

Solicitation of Applications for American Community Survey and Decennial Census Steering Committees
The Population Reference Bureau (PRB) is soliciting applications for membership on two steering committees to help plan activities for engaging data users.


Reminder: February 28 Deadline for Detailed DHC-B Proof of Concept Comments; Minor Corrections Made to Files
The deadline for the Detailed DHC-B Proof of Concept comments is February 28. The Proof of Concept and Tenure Examples Files updated with minor corrections.


Released for Feedback: Detailed DHC-B Proof of Concept; Webinar Today
The Census Bureau today released the Detailed DHC-B Proof of Concept for public review and feedback and will host a webinar.


Coming Soon: Detailed DHC-B Proof of Concept and Webinar
The Census Bureau will release a Proof of Concept for the 2020 Census Detailed DHC-B for public review and a webinar to learn about the DHC-B release.


Census Bureau Releases 2020 Census DHC Noisy Measurement File
A Noisy Measurement File is the intermediate output of the new 2020 Disclosure Avoidance System’s TopDown Algorithm (TDA).


2020 Census Data Product Updates
Today the U.S. Census Bureau is announcing the following release dates and other updates for upcoming 2020 Census data products.


Just Released: 2010 Census Demonstration Data DHC NMF
The U.S. Census Bureau today released the noisy measurement file (NMF) for the 2010 Census Production Settings DHC File.


2020 Census Redistricting Noisy Measurements File Released
The U.S. Census Bureau today released the Noisy Measurement File for the 2020 Census Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171). 


Census Bureau Provides Update on 2020 Census Data Products
 Today, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that the Detailed DHC-B and S-DHC are planned for release in September 2024.


Census Bureau Releases 2020 Census DHC and Demographic Profile
Today the Census Bureau released the 2020 Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics File (DHC) and Demographic Profile.


Detailed DHC-A Proof of Concept Feedback; DHC Prerelease Webinar 5/16
Just released; summary of feedback on the Proof of Concept for the 2020 Census Detailed DHC-A. May 16: Prerelease webinar on the DHC and Demographic Profile.


New 2010 Redistricting and DHC Production Settings Demo Data and NMFs
Just released: new 2010 Redistricting and DHC production settings demonstration microdata and redistricting “Noisy Measurement File." Webinar scheduled April 6


Product Release Dates and New Disclosure Avoidance Briefs
Updates announced on plans for the remaining 2020 Census data products and new, reader-friendly disclosure avoidance briefs released.


Save the Date - Release of DDPS Production Settings
On April 3 we will release 2010 Census demonstration data products with the final production settings for the 2020 Census Redistricting Data and DHC file.


Deadline for Detailed DHC-A Proof of Concept Comments is March 2
Deadline for Detailed DHC-A Proof of Concept Comments is March 2. The Census Bureau has released a video introducing Dr. Sallie Ann Keller, new Chief Scientist.


Released for Feedback: Detailed DHC-A Proof of Concept, Webinar Today
The Proof of Concept for the 2020 Census Detailed DHC-A was released today for public review and feedback. A webinar will also be held today to discuss.


Coming This Spring: New 2010 Redistricting and DHC Demonstration Microdata with “Noisy Measurement” Files
New files will be released to help data users understand potential impacts of confidentiality protections on the 2020 Census Redistricting Data and DHC files.


Heads Up: Detailed Demographic and Housing Characteristics File A Proof of Concept Release Plan
On January 31 the Census Bureau will release a Proof of Concept for the 2020 Census Detailed Demographic and Housing Characteristics File A for public feedback.


Census Bureau Sets Key Parameters to Protect Privacy in 2020 Census DHC


Reminder: DHC Feedback Period Ends Monday, September 26, 2022


Just Released: New Demonstration Data for the DHC; Webinar August 31


New 2010 DHC Demonstration Data Coming August 25; Webinar August 31


Updated 2010 Demonstration Data Metrics Reflect Correction


Summary of Feedback on DHC Demonstration Data

Share Your Thoughts

We appreciate your engagement and encourage you to email comments and suggestions to 2020DAS@census.gov.

 

 

Page Last Revised - May 12, 2023
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