Overview of the Area

Organizations conducting surveys and other forms of data collection may release the results of these exercises to third party users as “statistical products” in a variety of formats. For example, they may release tables to the public through published reports or release microdata files to academics for secondary data analysis. The problem addressed in statistical disclosure control (SDC) is that it is conceivable that a person who is given access to one of these statistical products may, through inappropriate use of the data, be able to disclose confidential information about the individual units which originally provided the data. These units might, for example, be respondents to a survey or persons completing forms for administrative purposes.