Census 2016: changes an “abuse” of public’s trust

ACCURACY and integrity of data collected in the 2016 census may be seriously compromised for the first time in its 100-year history, privacy advocates have warned.

For the first time in the 100-year census history, the ABS will retain personal data.

PRIVACY experts claim people may list false information on next month’s census because their names and addresses will be kept as part of the data.

Previously identifying information was destroyed once the other census data had been recorded but it will now be kept until 2020.

An Australian Bureau of Statistics spokesman yesterday said all personal information would be stored “securely and separate” but the NSW Council for Civil Liberties warned that some people’s concerns over how the government might use the information could cause a backlash of false information, from income bracket to religion.

“If people know their information will be identifiable and retained by the government, then it is very likely some people may chose not to answer all the questions honestly,” president Stephen Blanks said.

“We now have some politicians calling for discriminatory action against people of a particular faith, for example. It wouldn’t be unreasonable for them to think twice (before filling out the survey).”

For the first time in the 100-year census history, the ABS will retain personal data obtained on August 9 “for the purpose of richer and more dynamic statistics and more efficient statistical operations”.

Australian Privacy Foundation vice-chair David Vaile said the census “has gone from a valuable anonymous snapshot to an identifiable longitudinal dossier on Australians, with technology now capable of crossmatching and analysing people’s private information”.

An ABS spokesman confirmed all census information collected next month would be held until 2020 but after initial processing all names and addresses would be removed and stored separately from other personal and household data.

“Australians have willingly co-operated in the census for more than 100 years, including accurately providing names and addresses, which demonstrates their support and understanding of the importance of the census and their trust of the ABS,” the spokesman said.

“The ABS is confident Australians will continue to participate fully and truthfully.”

Providing false or misleading information on a census form can attract a $1800 fine.