Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Topics
Data & Maps
Surveys & Programs
Resource Library
Disclosure Avoidance and the Census
Disclosure Avoidance and the Census
Introduction
One of the most important roles that national statistical offices (NSOs) play is to carry out a national population and housing census. In so doing, NSOs have two data stewardship mandates that can be in direct opposition. Good data stewardship involves both safeguarding the privacy of the respondents who have entrusted their information to the NSOs as well as disseminating accurate and useful census data to the public. If an NSO wants the public to participate and provide accurate responses during a census, then the public must believe that their responses will be held securely.
This technical note discusses the three types of disclosure events, forms of attacks that may occur, and the four— generally sequential—disclosure avoidance phases that an NSO could go through in a census to ensure good data stewardship.
- This technical note is available in English, Russian, and Arabic.
Related Information
Page Last Revised - May 2, 2024
✕
Is this page helpful?
Yes
No
Yes
No✕
NO THANKS
255 characters maximum
255 characters maximum reached
255 characters maximum reached
✕
Thank you for your feedback.
Comments or suggestions?
Comments or suggestions?
