ON THE QUESTION OF STATISTICAL CONFIDENTIALITY

Abstract

The question of statistical confidentiality arises from the interaction between data collectors, data providers and data users. In disseminating statistical data, the data collector not only has to take into account the needs of the data user, but also ensure that the confidentiality of the information pertaining to the individual data provider is preserved. However, for different methods of data dissemination, there exist many types of statistical disclosure and each of them may warrant separate kinds of disclosure-control measures. In this academic exercise, we look into issues in statistical confidentiality that relate to the release of microdata records, particularly those from censuses by national statistical agencies. We will touch on the different types of statistical disclosure and highlight four methods of measuring such risks. This is followed by a discussion on the ways of controlling statistical disclosure. Finally, we will briefly describe the practices of Singapore's national statistical agencies in collecting, disseminating and protecting statistical data before we proceed to look at the case for the release of census microdata in Singapore.