Statistical disclosure control: legal framework and methodological aspects

All member countries in Europe face similar problems with respect to Statistical disclosure control (SDC). They all need to find a balance between preservation of privacy for the respondents and the very legitimate requests of society, researchers and policy makers to provide more and more detailed information. This growing demand, due to developments of the information age and knowledge society is a common problem of the European Statistical System (ESS).
In the paper current Eurostat confidentiality issues and strategy are discussed and is described a European SDC approach through the establishment of a Centres and Networks of Excellence (CENEX).