'Persons complain about confidentiality yet put life story on Facebook' - Hon Penn
According to Director of the Central Statistics Office, Mr Raymond Phillips, "in addition to having difficulty collecting data for the census, they also have difficulties collecting data for all other purposes as well. He stated that when he previously appeared before the Committee, he had spoken to difficulties they were having in collecting data for a survey of living conditions," the SFC report detailed.
Persons Uncooperative
According to Mr Phillips, unless something is done to address the matter, he fears the next census will be very difficult to complete.
When pressed by Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) on what the department believes the challenge is, Phillips remarked, that he thinks the reasoning is because persons can 'get away with not cooperating.'
According to the SFC report, the department "also tries to explain to persons that the data is being collected so that information could be made available [and] he stated that it has been the culture for too long where persons do no cooperate in data collection activities and get away with it."
'Life story on Facebook' - Hon Penn
Opposition Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), adding his voice to the conversation, stated that "the same persons who would complain about confidentiality would go and put their whole life story on Facebook."
The Director noted that persons have told him in the past that he could 'do what he wants' and that they were not going to give him the data. He said the legislation has deficiencies with no regulations attached and noted that companies too are refusing to submit data, due to confidentiality issues.
According to Mr Phillips, there are some ways the department is looking to address the issues. With regards to the confidentiality concerns, Mr Kedrick E. Malone, who serves as Acting Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office (AgPSPO), suggested that a crew of persons who are not known to the community be brought in to conduct the census.
However, it was noted the latter solution may also have some challenges.
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12 Responses to “'Persons complain about confidentiality yet put life story on Facebook' - Hon Penn ”
1. A subset of the population have Driver license. Add census questions in time for renewal.
2. New entrants. Add census questions at immigration in take and at passport renewal.
3. Child birth add census questions for mom dad and baby at hospital. No private patient data.
4. Utility services ...add questions when first signing up.
We have to use our noggings and get creative to be successful. That is why at times you need a younger generation working on some of these efforts. I am 54 so I am not necessary here defending the younglings, but your creative cells began to demolish as you age.
It is common knowledge and an open secret that a census occurs every 10 years. With the 2010 census being an unmitigated disaster, now at the 11th hour in 2020, the next census, the Statistics Office is telegraphing that there may be problems with the census. Madness. Sh..t or get off the p..e. The Statistics Office needs to pull its socks up.
The Census is an important source of population and economic data. Among other things, it provides data/information for a)political representation, b)information for business development and investment and c) allocate government funds to where they are needed most. For example, it highlights where schools, fire stations, police stations, medical facilities, utilities……..etc may be needed.
Undoubtedly, the information provided by participants should be treated with the highest level of privacy. By the way, if individuals want to post their personal business on Facebook, it is their choice; any information collected by government should treated with the strictest privacy. The Honourable Malone was out in left field with his fast comment. Participants must have a high level of confidence in the office and in the people that work there. It is no secret that government offices leak information like a sieve. On the other hand, despite the concerns, residents should understand that a complete census plays a critical role in how, what, when, where and why government resources are allocated.
Strongly encourage residents to fully cooperate with census workers and partake in the census. There should be swift and strong penalties for any census staff leaking private, sensitive and confidential information. The Statistics Office needs to launch and blanket the territory with a public education and outreach programme. Should have been done years ago.
As part of that reporting show the connection of policies developed and implemented from the collection of that data.
Please just start it !
Please just do it !
You will see the difference in about 1 year.