423 – Disclosure Avoidance, Data Privacy, and Perturbed Data: Protecting Sensitive Data
Disclosure Avoidance Techniques at the U.S. Census Bureau: Current Practices and Research
Amy Lauger
U.S. Census Bureau
William Wisniewski
U.S. Census Bureau
Laura McKenna
U.S. Census Bureau
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.