Federal census-participate or joke/privacy invasion??

[ilima]

I didn't see any of that type of stuff on the census this year....

I don't particularly like answering the questions - but I do.

Most people just get the short form. There are a lot more questions on the long form.

[Blueberry]

Most people just get the short form. There are a lot more questions on the long form.

Interesting. I had heard that they shortened the form, so I just thought it was *that* much shorter. I've gotten the long form before and I remember spending hours filling it out.

ETA: After a little research, it looks like the census is short form only. They're relying on the American Community Survey for the remainder of the data. Apparently, the response to this is also required by law.

[Crankin]

I never considered not filling it out. What's the point of this type of protest? They really do use the data; i.e., we got new congressional districts, based on the census data.
Maybe I am naive about privacy issues, but I just don't worry about this stuff. For some reason, every few months DH's Amex card is used fraudulently. I think it's because he buys an incredible amount of stuff on line, instead of going to a store, especially things for home maintenance. He just checks his account daily, and if there is a problem Amex takes care of it.
Many, many years ago, before the internet, I went to get a credit report because I was turned down for a small loan from my credit union to finish my masters. It turned out, that they had one of my parents' bills on my credit record. My dad and I have the same first 3 letters of our first names and similar SSNs. That, along with having the same last name did it. Although it took a little screaming from dad to have the credit bureau fix this, it's the only time I've had an issue with identity.

[withm]

If you use one of those little "discount" or "buyer's club" cards at your local grocery store, drugstore, the data miners have way more personal information about you, including your name, than the census ever collects.

[tulip]

If you use one of those little "discount" or "buyer's club" cards at your local grocery store, drugstore, the data miners have way more personal information about you, including your name, than the census ever collects.

Exactly. But then how else are you going to get the specials? It's a racket.

[OakLeaf]

And if you've ever turned in a health insurance claim, then anyone who wants it can get your entire medical history.

The loyalty cards are just a way for the stores to bring their data-mining in-house. They were getting it all from your bank/credit card company before, this just makes it more economical and more comprehensive for them.

Honestly I don't care if they know that a 50-year-female from my zip code who buys organic parsley sometimes buys store-made cookies, too. I'm a lot more concerned about who has access to my medical records. But there's nothing I can do about that, short of paying cash for all of it and choosing a doctor who doesn't participate in HIPAA... of whom there are very, very few nowadays.

[withm]

Exactly. But then how else are you going to get the specials? It's a racket.

You are absolutely right. It really annoys me that we have to give in to this scheme. It's only a matter of time before really blatant targeted direct marketing kicks in. It's pretty creepy to even think about it. It's only one step away from stalking.

[tangentgirl]

Interesting, now I want to go poking around census records.

I don't have any problems with the census. As others have mentioned, the marketing data out there digs way deeper and is for less useful purposes. At least we can try and get roads and schools out of the census.

[Pax]

I'm always very cautious with my personal data, just because it's already "out there" doesn't mean I want to add to it, however naive that may be. I'm a Veteran and got the letter from the VA a couple of years ago telling me "oops, we let all your personal data get stolen, our bad". So I'm a little gun shy about giving out my info to the government.

[shootingstar]

I'm always very cautious with my personal data, just because it's already "out there" doesn't mean I want to add to it, however naive that may be. I'm a Veteran and got the letter from the VA a couple of years ago telling me "oops, we let all your personal data get stolen, our bad". So I'm a little gun shy about giving out my info to the government.

Pax, at least the govn't does disclose (or is forced by the journalists) to admit occasional inappropriate disclosure or loss of personal data. There are controls all over the place right down to the whole records management process on how a govn't agency secures the data, retention and destruction of that data (but obviously not for census). A govn't agency knows that they are held acccountable to the public, the taxpayers, the electorate.

I'm speaking like this because some professional librarians become certified records managers and do have to implement policies and procedures how to manage/restrict access to that data. So within the federal govn't, I have far greater confidence of better vigilance. After all the bureaucrats have to protect their butts from journalists watching and reporting like hawks.

It can be surprising what happens in some private companies...EVEN IF there is legislation that requires private companies to protect "personal" information. Far greater naivete. It gets even murkier when a private company that is an international firm, has your personal info. on a server outside of the country. There are have been concerns raised here in British Columbia about this. Do you think any private firm, private sector firm even wants to disclose any inappropriate practices re personal info.? Only when a whistleblower will reveal..

I also have spent time educating employees in some jobs about basics on our privacy laws here in B.C...because some of my jobs involved records. Canadians and Americans have greater awareness of privacy protection requirements, people from other countries do not.

[Pax]

...Canadians and Americans have greater awareness of privacy protection requirements, people from other countries do not.

I understand this well, I work in a major university library and have International students and patrons who will hand over their identity on a silver platter. I came into work one day to find a new student hire had left her passport and copies of her social security card and drivers license in the box on my door (where any patron/staff/visitor has free access). She didn't have a clue what she'd done, when I explained it to her she just smiled and said "okay". I'd like to be that unconcerned about it again...I miss the 70's.

[OakLeaf]

I'd like to be that unconcerned about it again...I miss the 70's.

Naw, got nuthin' to do with the '70s, except that we were younger then. We have a name for it now, "identity theft," is all.

I miss being 17... except that I don't. Now, I'm concerned about my ability to get medical care, and the hassles I might go through protecting what little money I have. Back then, I was concerned about what my friends might think of me. Just how most of us grow older...


But really, am I the only one here who's distressed by how easily available our medical records are? (Medical identity theft is a huge issue too, you know.) Honestly, I have no doubt that data miners have a field day on TE. I hope everyone stays here, and worrying about data mining is so 20th century anyway, but anyone who's concerned about data mining better not be posting on any online forum. Seriously.

[shootingstar]

Naw, got nuthin' to do with the '70s, except that we were younger then. We have a name for it now, "identity theft," is all.

I miss being 17... except that I don't. Now, I'm concerned about my ability to get medical care, and the hassles I might go through protecting what little money I have.

There is less tendency for Canadians to deal with private sector parties for medical insurance coverage since our health care system is completely different. Of course, it doesn't guarantee completely our data is sealproof protected.

Medical identity theft is real..just ask any physician.

As for data mining: Though there's the pressure professionally to post employment history in LinkedIn and elsewhere on Internet when job hunting, I still am not comfortable for reasons of stolen identity or misunderstood identity. But alot of my colleagues are posting their employment history with a certain amount of detail.

The justification on the other side is some transparency makes one more 'approachable' in terms of work-related networking and other types of social networking. Or whatever one writes/presents on the Internet is a form of evidence for one's achievements. In certain fields (including mine), employers expect nowadays to see some form of online publication or online product as some evidence for one's Internet literacy and basic ability to work with certain web software even from a design perspective. In a way, some of the evidence, can also be self-protection also combined with real publication in hard copy documents..since web content on the Internet can disappear.

But then we can move into ranting about content theft, plagarism and copyright violations..

[channlluv]

It was filling out the 2000 census that I found out I'm in a mixed marriage. It was the first time I'd ever had to label us that way. DH laughed. "Uh, yeah," he said, shaking his head at my obtuseness.

Roxy