Technology

Government, IBM and ABS all criticised as Census failure reports released

Paul SmithTechnology editor

Updated Nov 24, 2016 – 6.49pm, first published at 6.10pm

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A pair of reports into the bungled 2016 census have criticised the Australian Bureau of Statistics for failing to properly address citizens' privacy concerns and urged government minister Michael McCormack to take responsibility for the failings of technology giant IBM.

The August census, which was due to be the first largely filled out online, was beset by privacy concerns in the run up, before descending into farce when IBM and the ABS took the website offline due to security concerns, meaning millions of Australians were unable to complete the forms.

Paul Smith edits the technology coverage and has been a leading writer on the sector for 20 years. He covers big tech, business use of tech, the fast-growing Australian tech industry and start-ups, telecommunications and national innovation policy.