U.S. Census Bureau Data Outage Raises Concerns Among Experts and Users

What Happened: Widespread Data Outage Hits Census Bureau

On Thursday, users encountered an unexpected issue when attempting to access several databases from the U.S. Census Bureau. The system displayed a "forbidden" error message, preventing the download of commonly used datasets. This disruption affected experts and companies like Haver Analytics, who rely heavily on this data for their operations. Maurine Haver, the founder of Haver Analytics, noted that her team was unable to access various economic releases through Census.gov, highlighting the severity of the outage.

Expert Reactions: Concerns Over Data Accessibility and Implications

Data experts expressed significant concerns about the outage, with some able to access certain files through workarounds, although many critical datasets remained unavailable. Michael Horrigan, president of the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, emphasized the rarity of such an event, questioning the potential reasons behind it. He suggested internal pressures might be influencing the publication of data, urging further investigation.

Potential Causes: Technical Glitch or Policy Change?

While the exact cause of the outage remains unclear, speculation points to both technical issues and possible policy changes under the Trump administration. Some datasets were accessible, adding to the mystery. The Census Bureau did not respond to requests for comment, leaving the situation uncertain. This lack of clarity has fueled concerns among experts and users alike.

Specific Data Affected: Impact on Decision-Making

The outage particularly affected datasets related to voter demographics, state population changes, and small businesses. These datasets are crucial for decision-making across government and business sectors. Erica Groshen, former commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, underscored the importance of Census data, warning that delays or data quality issues could hamper monetary policy, fiscal policy, and investment decisions.

Economic Implications: Risks of Data Disruptions

The potential economic implications of the outage are significant. Economists fear that a prolonged disruption in data access could lead to less informed decision-making, affecting various sectors. The reliance on accurate and timely data for economic planning and policy-making makes such outages particularly concerning.

The Bigger Picture: White House Influence and Transparency

The outage occurred amidst broader changes in government communication, including a White House order to remove language related to diversity and inclusion. This context adds another layer of concern regarding data accessibility and transparency. The temporary unavailability of the Census Bureau’s website, along with other government pages, raises questions about the administration’s influence on information dissemination and the potential impact on public trust in government data.

In conclusion, the U.S. Census Bureau’s data outage has sparked concerns over accessibility, transparency, and the integrity of essential data used across various sectors. Addressing these issues is crucial to maintaining trust and ensuring informed decision-making.