The further I research this topic, the worse it gets.
Have you ever heard of microdata?
"Rather than looking at larger statistics of cities or large towns, individuals can now research statistics according to a Census Bureau program called TIGER, Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing system.
This system creates custom reports for any area defined, including a small neighborhood. The Public Use Microdata Sample files would then allow users to see the actual census questionnaires, albeit without the actual name or address.
If one combines the two programs, the likelihood of identifying individuals is high."
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"Social Security Numbers
The use of the Social Security Number on public documents remains one of the most controversial topics in privacy regulation. Recently, the Census Bureau has engaged in a study to see whether the public will object to the collection of Social Security numbers on census forms. The Census Bureau has created a program called SPAN, Social Security Number, Privacy Attitudes and Notification Experiment. The experiment would consist of asking 20,000 people to fill out their special census form, which would include their SSN. Meanwhile, the Census Bureau has begun to expand interagency sharing of Social Security numbers. In 1998, Commissioner of the Social Security Administration approved the Census Bureau's request for the file of SSN applicants (also called the Numident File).
The Administrative Records Steering Committee continues to assess whether or not a public outcry would follow the use of SSNs in the Census. Their studies have recognized that there are numerous considerations, particularly due to issues of controlling data.
Synthesis of Results from the Social Security Number, Privacy Attitudes, and Notification Experiment (PDF), US Census, January 20, 2003.
Microdata
Microdata is a concept derived from the public use of samples of information. Data samples are used for statistical analysis of past census reports. Microdata allows researchers to create tabulations tailored to particular questions regarding the filed information. These files include nearly all the detail originally recorded by the census enumerations. The use of microdata can construct a great variety of interrelating figures to compile a set of variables for analysis. Microdata is particularly used for historical research because the aggregate tabulations produced by the Census Bureau are often not comparable across time.
A critical issue today is how large the sample sizes are and what exactly each contains. During the period since the 1940 census, microdata are subject to confidentiality measures that limit their usefulness for some applications. The available samples for these years include no names, addresses or other potentially identifying information. To further ensure that no individuals can be identified, the Census Bureau is required to limit the information regarding residence, place of work, high incomes, and several other variables. By changing the size and variables in new samples, the microdata could show completely different statistical results."
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The rest of the article can be found at the link below.
