Posted on 03/12/2020 8:33:53 PM PDT by fwdude
I’ve been ruminating on the promises that the Census Bureau incessantly makes regarding data security; that our information is “protected by law.” Well, I’m not impressed.
The Bureau says that strict fines and penalties are in place for divulging data illegally (what and the magnitude of those fines and penalties are is never revealed.) Regardless, fines and penalties, even up to incarceration are not enough to “protect us by law” from theft, burglaries, rape and murder. Once those crimes are committed against us, they can never be UNcommitted by ANY action of law.
So, our information is leaked, the responsible party (who will be held responsible is also never made clear: the low-level clerk, his supervisor, an area director?) gets his hand slapped. We are left out do dry with any fallout. So, is there any compensation made to the victim for this illegal activity (not that that would undo the data compromise.)
AND, if we refuse to complete the census, or give “untrue” answers, how is any prosecution supposed to result, since we are PROMISED that no information given (or no information at all) will be divulged to law enforcement for investigatory action?
Maybe that’s why no one has been charged with failing to participate?
Sounds like you’re referring to the Community Survey, not the official census.
The latter only requires, by law, the number of people and their ages in your household. (might also require sex and race, now)
The Community Survey can go into the trash. It is full of demographic personal info relative to your income, race, number of bathrooms, etc. That info is provided (sold?) to the business/marketing industry so they can make decisions on where to locate their shops/stores to get the biggest bang for their bucks.
The regular census form data should not cause you to fret, unless they have added a bunch of intrusive stuff. ...jmo
I wonder how they intend to gather the data regarding all of the homeless living on the streets and in parks?
If offering FREE voter ID cards is considered racist, I’m sure that expecting census replies online must be racist, too.
Fresh out of the Navy, I worked the Census follow-ups diligently, but couldn’t finish in time. (Although older employees with abutting territories finished weeks earlier!) Paid 25 cents apiece, I had to guess at the hundred remaining.
“I wonder how they intend to gather the data regarding all of the homeless living on the streets and in parks”.
CoVid 19 makes that risky business for both sides...
I posted a link in my reply #6 above regarding the questions on the census form.
I consider race, birthdate, and phone number to be intrusive. Getting that information is a marketer’s dream, as well as scammers.
As the office supervisor for Census 2000, the 1st computerized census, operated in the Portland, Oregon office ... NO!
I don’t worry about privacy of census data.
I DO wonder why all the interest in “race.” Shouldn’t we be over that by now? I’m leaving that part all blank.
Name, DOB. That’s enough.
I’m writing “U.S. Citizen” in the race question. They may not ask it, but they are getting it.
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