Statistical agencies through surveys or censuses collect information about a nation's population and institutions and make information available to the public. Data are typically gathered under pledges of confidentiality and some agencies are required by law not to disclose confidential information. In addition, violating pledges of confidentiality undermine an agency's ability to collect data in the future due to the loss of public trust. Agencies that release public information have the responsibility to design and follow data release strategies that will not violate their pledges to protect the confidentiality of the collected data.

Social science and policy research has provided considerable information about some of the most critical issues in modern societies by using micro-level data. However, it is through fine levels of accurate detail in data releases that high risk of disclosure arises. When researchers access raw data to draw conclusions about population parameters they are called "analysts" and when they use the data to gain confidential knowledge about particular respondents they a re called "intruders." An active area of statistical research lies in developing methods that allow for release of useful information while abiding by the requirements to protect individual privacy and adhering to pledges of confidentiality given to respondents.

In this brief presentation we will identify statistical issues in the release of public use data - both tabular and microdata. We also will outline typical release strategies and provide references for balancing the need to protect the confidentiality of data (avoiding unauthorized disclosure) against the need to maximize public access to the data.