16 states join Alabama in disputing Census use of differential privacy

Sixteen states filed a brief in support of Alabama’s lawsuit disputing the U.S. Census Bureau’s use of differential privacy, The Associated Press reports. The statistical method that adds intentional errors to data to enhance individuals’ privacy would be used for redrawing congressional and legislative seats. The brief said other privacy-protective methods could be used. “Because differential privacy creates false information — by design — it prevents the states from accessing municipal-level information crucial to performing this essential government functions,” the brief stated.