2002 Hansen Lecture
Eleanor Singer, University of Michigan
"Public Perceptions of Confidentiality"
Journal of Official Statistics, 19(4), pp.333-341, 2003.
Miron Straf, The National Academies, and
"Information and Statistical Data: A Distinction With A Difference"
Journal of Official Statistics, 19(4), pp. 321-331, 2003
Katherine Wallman, Office of Management & Budget
"Privacy and Confidentiality — A New Era?"
Journal of Official Statistics, 19(4), pp.315-319, 2003.
Opening remarks: Virginia deWolf, Consultant
Abstract: We distinguish between information about individuals and statistical data, a representation of information that does not identify any individual. Implications of this distinction are: (1) neither privacy nor confidentiality pertains to statistical data but rather to information; (2) individuals may have the right to control their information, but not the right to control statistical data derived from that information; (3) information should be protected by providers from release, but statistical data need to be safeguarded with sanctions on users; (4) zero tolerance can be a standard for the release of information, but, for statistical data, the standard must be to exercise reasonable care so that the risk of an identification is very small. Finally, we discuss how recent legislation in the U.S. can be used to strengthen confidentiality, increase research access to statistical and other data, and make available more useful statistical data.
