Statistical confidentiality gives people who provide information used to produce statistics the assurance that this information will not be used in a way that might harm them.

Statistical confidentiality prohibits the government or public service officials who are depositories of information:

  • from communicating individual information collected through a statistical survey to any third parties,
  • from divulging any information that has been transmitted to them by third parties for the sole purpose of compiling statistics.

It therefore guarantees, in particular, that:

  • the confidentiality of the private and family life of natural persons will be respected
  • the commercial confidentiality of businesses will be respected: any information transmitted will not be made available to their competitors.

If you want to submit a request for access to confidential data, go to the Procedure page.

To find out more about statistical confidentiality: