Balancing Utility Versus Privacy in the 2020 Census: Sentiments from Data Users

12 Pages Posted: 27 Apr 2022

See all articles by Joseph Scariano

Joseph Scariano

Georgetown University, Department of Government

Izzy Youngs

Georgetown University, McCourt School of Public Policy, Massive Data Institute

Date Written: April 21, 2022

Abstract

When designing disclosure avoidance systems, federal statistical agencies must understand how data users balance data utility and privacy in their assessments of privacy protection frameworks, such as differential privacy. Through one-on-one semi-structured interviews with 33 participants across government, research institutions, and community organizations, we collected data users’ opinions on the new privacy safeguards implemented by the U.S. Census Bureau for the 2020 Census. We identified several messaging themes, which were organized into seven groups. We utilized this feedback to develop a series of recommendations, including creating a separate data file without post-processing, developing disclosure avoidance system criteria transparently, and opening more avenues for accessing unprotected microdata.

Keywords: differential privacy, census, US Census Bureau, data privacy

Suggested Citation

Scariano, Joseph and Youngs, Izzy, Balancing Utility Versus Privacy in the 2020 Census: Sentiments from Data Users (April 21, 2022). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4089888 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4089888

Joseph Scariano (Contact Author)

Georgetown University, Department of Government ( email )

681, 37th and O Streets, N.W
Washington, DC
United States

Izzy Youngs

Georgetown University, McCourt School of Public Policy, Massive Data Institute ( email )

United States

HOME PAGE: http://izzy-youngs.com

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