Is my information private?

Yes.

What happens to my data?

The government can only use your data to produce statistics. Your personal data is hidden for 72 years so that you cannot be individually identified. The remainder of the data is used by the Census Bureau to count the population. These numbers determine how much of your tax dollars comes back to your community, among other things.

Why is my personal data even collected?

Your personal data is used to ensure that you are only counted once. After 72 years, this personal data becomes publicly available for genealogy and other research purposes.

How are you protected?

Personal data collected by the Census Bureau is confidential, and by law cannot be shared with law enforcement, the court system, immigration, or anyone for 72 years… including your mom.

Title 13 of the U.S. Code restricts the U.S. Census Bureau to keep your answers strictly confidential. In fact, every Census Bureau employee takes an oath to protect your personal information for life. Violating that oath is punishable by up to $250,000 and five (5) years in jail.

ICE, FBI, CIA, & DHS cannot access your personal data.

By law, your personal responses can’t be accessed by the government or court in any way. ICE, FBI, CIA, & DHS are not allowed to access your personal data by law. There are no exceptions. Title 13 makes it clear that the data collected can only be used for statistical purposes.