Is My Privacy Protected?

We never reveal your identity to anybody else.

The Census Bureau is legally bound to strict confidentiality requirements. Individual records are not shared with anyone, including federal agencies and law enforcement entities. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents' answers with anyone, -- not the IRS, not the FBI, not the CIA, and not with any other government agency.

All Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect all information that could identify individuals. Disclosing ANY information that could identify you or your family means 5 years in prison, or $250,000 in fines, or both.

To protect your privacy, the American Community Survey NEVER asks for:

  • your Social Security number
  • your personal information via email
  • money or donations
  • credit card information

If a field representative comes to your home to help you complete the American Community Survey, he or she will ALWAYS have official Census ID.

We never reveal your identity to anybody else. Ever.

Census Oath of Non-Disclosure

When hired to work for the Census Bureau, employees must sign a Sworn Affidavit of Nondisclosure.

This obligates those hired to accept the responsibility of keeping all Title 13 data confidential. This constitutes a lifetime obligation, continuing even if you are no longer affiliated with the Census Bureau.

"I will not disclose any information contained in the schedules, lists, or statements obtained for or prepared by the Census Bureau to any person or persons either during or after employment."

Under federal law, the penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of not more than $250,000 or imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both.

Thank you for your time and effort. It makes a difference!