A Crisis of Trust in Federal Data

Our research at Boston Indicators relies heavily on high-quality, publicly accessible data from the federal government—data that enable our analysis of the economic, social, and public health issues that face our region. It’s no surprise then that we are alarmed at the increasing politicization of federal data and the lack of transparency surrounding recent alterations to key datasets from government websites. And we are not alone.

In the early weeks of the current presidential administration, federal agencies took down thousands of datasets and public web pages, including critical information from the Census Bureau, the CDC, and the EPA. These removals affected public health surveillance data, mapping tools, and various publications, as well as other highly valued resources. While most of the affected data have since been restored—due in part to public outcry and legal challenges—data on gender identity are unlikely to be collected going forward. This episode has raised serious concerns about the reliability of federal data collection and dissemination under this administration.

The sudden disappearance of these datasets without any communication, even if temporary, has shaken our confidence in the federal government’s commitment to maintaining nonpartisan, high-quality data. Looking ahead, the bigger issue is not just what was taken down, but whether we can continue to trust federal agencies to collect and report data without political interference.