Alexander L A, Jabine T B
Soc Secur Bull. 1978 Aug;41(8):3-17.
This article focuses on the characteristics of SSA microdata files and on the development of a disclosure policy aimed at serving the public interest while protecting the privacy of individuals and the confidentiality of research and statistical information. Several dimensions of the disclosure question are explored: A description of the persons (both living and dead) and other entities that are the data subjects; the ability of users to associate known data subjects with information about them; the sources of data; expectations as to recontact of data subjects; and the terms and conditions under which microdata are released to users outside SSA. The factors controlling the decision whether or not to release microdata are discussed. The factors range from those intended to protect the data subject--the criteria specified by law for maintaining confidentiality for example and the principles applied by SSA in assessment of disclosure risk--to those more concerned with agency function, such as financial cost to the agency, and interference with its primary mission. Some particular practices are described to illustrate application of present policy principles. Brief attention is given to future implications of certain current developments such as the Privacy Act, the Sunshine Act, and the Tax Reform Act of 1976.
本文着重探讨社会安全局微观数据文件的特点，以及旨在服务公共利益，同时保护个人隐私和研究及统计信息机密性的披露政策的制定。文中探讨了披露问题的几个方面：对作为数据主体的人员（包括在世者和逝者）及其他实体的描述；用户将已知数据主体与其相关信息进行关联的能力；数据来源；对再次联系数据主体的预期；以及向社会安全局以外的用户发布微观数据的条款和条件。文中讨论了控制是否发布微观数据这一决策的因素。这些因素涵盖了旨在保护数据主体的因素，例如法律规定的保密标准以及社会安全局在评估披露风险时所采用的原则，到更多涉及机构职能的因素，如机构的财务成本以及对其主要任务的干扰。文中描述了一些具体做法，以说明现行政策原则的应用。本文还简要关注了某些当前发展，如《隐私法》、《阳光法》和1976年《税收改革法》的未来影响。
