As much as the progress in technology has helped the data collection industry, it has not been able to solve the issue of privacy. This is because respecting privacy is not a technological issue. It is a legal issue.
The progress in data collection has been helping anonymous data collections. However, these data are either system performance data, such as traffic count, average speed, and emission; or they are the data that cannot help in understanding the behavioral sources of the actions that the industry tries to understand.
A small business owner deals with aggregate data for business planning but if he wants to analyze the behavior of the people he is serving, he needs to connect the service to demographic, location, and personal information. There are illegal technological ways to collect the personal data but that is not how the government should work.
Finally, the risk of not collecting personal data significantly damages proper planning as the interaction among components of data are lost and the policy decisions are forced to be made in silos of the administrative framework based on aggregate system performance, uninformed of the causes and consequences on individuals.
Arash Mirzaei, P.E. | Senior Program Manager
Model Development and Data Management | NCTCOG
Tel: (817) 695-9261 | Fax: (817) 640-3028 | Email: amirzaei@nctcog.org
From: ctpp-news-bounces@chrispy.net [mailto:ctpp-news-bounces@chrispy.net] On Behalf Of James Jacobs
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 12:50 PM
To: ctpp-news@chrispy.net
Subject: Re: [CTPP] Congress and Killing Census Sample Surveys
Indeed, we've been tracking on the erosion of various US statistical programs over at Free Government Information (a blog by several govt information/data librarians). See for example:
Fear, uncertainty, or doubt? Why the Census and ACS are critical to a well-functioning democracy
Best,
James Jacobs
Subject: Re: [CTPP] Congress and Killing Census Sample Surveys
Date: May 13, 2013 4:42:25 AM PDT
Reply-To: ctpp-news@ryoko.chrispy.net
Ed: this is what Duncan says in the statement you included. we in our profession should be smart enough to either support or refute this argument.
Those who oppose Duncan?s legislation claim that our nation would miss out on vital economic data. Duncan objects to this contention, and believes there are other ways to gather information that does not involve harassing or threatening individuals to turn over personal data. ?As a former small business owner, I recognize that some economic data gathering is beneficial. However, it should be voluntary, industry driven, and not mandated by the government under penalty of law. I?m confident in our ability to develop innovative ways to gather information without harassing people, invading their privacy, or threatening them with fines. Americans are tired of too much government meddling in their daily lives.?
-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Christopher [mailto:edc@berwyned.com]
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2013 10:10 AM
To: 'ctpp-news maillist'
Subject: [CTPP] Congress and Killing Census Sample Surveys
I got this from my Association of Public Data Users newsletter and thought the topic would be of interest to those on this list. Does anyone know of any MPOs, agencies or others who have contacted Congress to express their opinions on this? Either Pro? or Con? -------- Original Message -------- Subject: APDU Data Update Date: Thu, 09 May 2013 15:21:45 -0400 From: Association of Public Data Users (APDU) To: *New Bill Seeks to End Surveys* Ten Congressional representatives sponsor legislation to eliminate Department of Commerce-sponsored surveys. The bill would eliminate the Census of Agriculture, the Economic Census, Census of Government, any mid-decade Census surveys, and any survey (including the American Community Survey) using survey sampling that does not tie directly to the decennial census of population. View the actual bill here . The Bill was introduced in the House by Jeff Duncan of South Carolina. Find his views on the bill on his website here . Here are a few news stories and blogs who have reported on the bill: * A New GOP Bill Would Prevent the Government from Collecting Economic Data * Hero: Rep. Jeff Duncan (R:SC) * GOP Census Bill Would Eliminate America's Economic Indicators * 11 Republican Congressmen Are Sponsoring a Bill That Would End The Jobs Report and The GDP Report * GOP Proposal Would Eliminate Unemployment Numbers * The Insane War on the American Community Survey Isn't Over * Benefits of Census Surveys Outweigh Costs * BRILLIANT!! GOP Reveals Unique Solution to Unemployment! * Duncan, Other GOP Congressmen, Don't Like Census Questionnaire * Where Have I Heard This Before? (or, History Repeats Itself) We would greatly appreciate your feedback on how this bill might affect economic and workforce development efforts. Send feedback here . -- Ed Christopher 708-283-3534 (V) 708-574-8131 (cell) FHWA RC-TST-PLN 4749 Lincoln Mall Drive, Suite 600 Matteson, IL 60443 _______________________________________________ ctpp-news mailing list ctpp-news@ryoko.chrispy.nethttp://ryoko.chrispy.net/mailman/listinfo/ctpp-news
--
James R. Jacobs
Government Information Librarian
123D Green Library,
Stanford University
P: 650.862.9871
E: jrjacobs@stanford.edu
AIM: LibrarianJames
T: @freegovinfo
"The art of research is the ability to look at the details, and see the passion."
-- Daryl Zero, "The Zero Effect" (1998)
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