How safe is your census data?

Census Population Source: John Lund/Getty images

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Australia's census has a history of keeping personal information secure and private.However, this year the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will make it compulsory for people to include their names and addresses. Privacy advocates are concerned that the move will not only lead to public backlash against the census but also undermine the accuracy and credibility of the census results.

For over 100 years, Australians have shared anonymous personal information with the ABS, to help policy-makers plan for the country's future.

With the 2016 census moving on-line, the ABS is now asking respondents to add in their names and addresses in their census data, and privacy groups are calling it a major mistake.