Disclosure Avoidance Techniques at the U.S. Census Bureau: Current Practices and Research

• Activity Number: 423
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 11, 2015 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Government Statistics Section
• Author(s): William Wisniewski* and Laura McKenna and Amy Lauger
• Companies: U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Census Bureau
• Keywords: Confidentiality ; Disclosure Avoidance ; Microdata ; Synthetic Data ; Noise Infusion ; Data Swapping

Abstract

The U.S. Census Bureau collects its survey and census data under the U.S. Code's Title 13, which promises confidentiality to its respondents. The agency also has the responsibility of releasing data for the purpose of statistical analysis. In common with most national statistical institutes, the Census Bureau's goal is to release as much high quality data as possible while maintaining the pledge of confidentiality. We apply disclosure avoidance techniques prior to releasing our data products publicly to protect the confidentiality of our respondents and their data. This paper discusses the various types of data we release, the disclosure review process, restricted access procedures, disclosure avoidance techniques currently being used, and current disclosure avoidance research.