The Census Trap – How “Other” checkboxes are used for state surveillance.

The Census Trap – How “Other” Checkboxes are Used for State Surveillance

The 2020 United States Census was hailed as a major milestone in the country’s history, providing crucial data on demographics and population growth. However, what went unnoticed by many was the inclusion of a seemingly innocuous “other” checkbox option for respondents to report their race or ethnicity.

But experts warn that this simple-looking box is actually part of a larger effort by government agencies to monitor and control marginalized communities.

“We’ve been warning about the dangers of census data collection for years,” said civil rights attorney, Miguel Garcia. “The ‘other’ checkbox is just one example of how the government is trying to capture people who don’t fit neatly into their categories. It’s a trap.”

According to a recent investigation by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), census data has been used to identify and track minority communities, often with devastating consequences.

“The census data is being shared with law enforcement agencies, immigration officials, and other government entities,” said Katharine Sawyer, an ACLU spokesperson. “It’s a clear violation of people’s privacy and civil liberties.”

The ACLU has launched a lawsuit against the U.S. Census Bureau, alleging that the collection and sharing of census data is unconstitutional.

“This is not just about collecting numbers; it’s about creating a database for government surveillance,” said David Cole, legal director at the ACLU. “We’re talking about a system that can be used to track people based on their race, ethnicity, religion, or political beliefs.”

The inclusion of the “other” checkbox is just one example of how the census data collection process has been manipulated by government agencies.

“The ‘other’ category was deliberately designed to capture people who don’t fit into the dominant narratives,” said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a sociology professor at New York University. “It’s a way for the government to identify and monitor marginalized communities, often with harmful consequences.”

As concerns grow about the misuse of census data, experts are calling for greater transparency and accountability.

“We need to be vigilant in monitoring how our personal information is being used,” said Miguel Garcia. “The ‘other’ checkbox is just one example of how government agencies can use seemingly harmless data collection practices to surveil and control marginalized communities.”

For more information on the census data collection process and its implications, visit the American Civil Liberties Union’s website at aclu.org.