Census 2010

source: www.census.gov

Census Policy Regarding Sensitive Data

Woman reading Census PaperworkFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2004

Public Information Office CB04-145
(301) 763-3030/457-3670 (fax)
(301) 457-1037 (TDD)
e-mail: pio@census.gov

The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that it was implementing new procedures regarding the release of potentially sensitive data to requesting law enforcement agencies and organizations or individuals.

Effective immediately, all special tabulations of data requested by a federal, state or local law enforcement agency or intelligence agency will require prior approval by the appropriate Associate Director at the Bureau whenever the request involves sensitive populations, including minority groups. "This action demonstrates that the Census Bureau is committed to maintaining the trust of the American people by respecting privacy and ensuring confidentiality," said Director Louis Kincannon. Until now, requests for special tabulations have been reviewed only if the Bureau was reimbursed for the work, usually by non-governmental organizations, businesses or individuals. Most tabulations for government agencies, including law enforcement offices, did not require reimbursement, and were not reviewed. Under the new policy, all requests for special tabulations will undergo the same review process.

Kincannon said the policy change was made in response to recent concerns about data tabulations provided to law enforcement agencies that are now part of the Department of Homeland Security. "Those tabulations did not reveal any information about individuals, were entirely legal, and the data also were publicly available on our Web site," said Kincannon.

"However, the Bureau must be sensitive to public perceptions of any threat to confidentiality or privacy stemming from Census data. We rely on the voluntary participation of millions of Americans to obtain the information that is essential to our mission."

The new policy defines sensitive populations to include children, limited speaking and non-English speaking persons, non-citizens, prisoners, impoverished and terminally ill patients, and small minority groups.

Special tabulations are aggregated statistics that can only be produced from confidential information, which are then modified into anonymous public data files. The policy change also effects extracts, which merely reformats data or statistics derived from existing Census information.

Effective immediately, individuals or organizations requesting extracts will be advised to obtain the information from the Bureau's Web site. The Bureau will provide assistance in navigating the Bureau's Web-based tools such as American FactFinder. When this is impractical, Census Bureau staffers will be permitted to generate the requested data, but will ask for the name and affiliation of the person requesting the information. If the requestor is from a law enforcement office or intelligence agency, and/or the request involves a sensitive population, the request must first be approved by a senior Census Bureau official.

Preliminary Plans for 2005 and 2006 Tests

April, 2004 Preliminary Plans for 2005 and 2006 Tests(PDF 258Kb)

National Conference held by Census Bureau's Advisory Committee on the Asian Population

The US Census Bureau's Advisory Committee on the Asian Population was established in 1985 to advise the Census Bureau on ways to achieve a more accurate count of Asians during the decennial census. The Committee, along with the Census Bureau's other four race and ethnic advisory committees (representing the African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Hispanic, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations), advises the Census Bureau on the unique data collection needs of diverse populations and communities.

On May 28-29, 2004, the Census Bureau's Advisory Committee on the Asian Population held a national conference, focusing on the benefits of census data to the Asian population and on the overall importance of accurate quality data to the decennial process. The conference was held at the Holiday Inn Oakland Airport, 5090 Hegenberger Road, Oakland, California. Contact the conference coordinator and Asian Advisory Committee member, Ms. Ellen Abellera, Executive Director, Governor's Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, at (360) 586-9500.

Program for May 28-29, 2004 in Oakland California (PDF 195Kb)

2004 Census Test

The 2004 Census Test is being conducted in northwest Queens, N.Y. (Astoria, Corona, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Long Island City and Woodside neighborhoods) and in three counties in Georgia - Thomas, Colquitt and Tift. The 2004 Census Test will help the U.S. Census Bureau evaluate new ways to count the population and plan a more accurate and cost-effective 2010 Census.

The Census Bureau uses the information it collects for statistical purposes only. All the information the Census Bureau collects about you and your household is confidential by federal law.

For more information on the 2004 Census Test, please call (877) 221-9436. If you are using a telephone display device (TDD), please call (800) 786-9448.

Additional Information

Mailing address:

U.S. Census Bureau
4700 Silver Hill Road
Washington DC 20233-0001

Website: http://www.census.gov
Email: comments@census.gov
Call Center: 301-763-INFO (4636)