As many of you are aware, on January 31, 2025, the administration began removing crucial data from public, federal government websites, including the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System–information that is used to address critical issues like teen suicide–and content related to sexual orientation and gender identity. We are closely monitoring these changes and their impact on public data access. Removing access to taxpayer funded public data from the public domain is unethical and contrary to the principle that these data are for the public and public good. It also sets a dangerous precedent that any administration could withhold public data for any reason.
Congress, the entity in charge of how taxpayer dollars are allocated, has approved federal agencies for all data collection in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act and other statutory requirements. This process includes both rigorous scientific research and extensive opportunities for public comment. The datasets that were removed today reflect information the public requested, paid for, and which was collected in compliance with all applicable laws.
All federal statistical agencies are governed by U.S. law, which states four key objectives:
(A) produce and disseminate relevant and timely statistical information;
(B) conduct credible and accurate statistical activities;
(C) conduct objective statistical activities; and
(D) protect the trust of information providers by ensuring the confidentiality and exclusive statistical use of their responses. 44 U.S.C. 3563(a)(1)
In short, federal agencies don’t simply collect data for the sake of collection. Their role is to produce and disseminate data in a credible, accurate, and objective way, while maintaining confidentiality of respondents.
The reason for that mandate is simple: public data support everyone in the United States–from the patients at a community clinic to bankers on Wall Street, and for uses ranging from real estate planning to disaster response–by allowing for informed decision-making.
The loss is not abstract: Among other things, data lost today helped people address urgent issues like teen mental health, bullying, and violence prevention. Put quite simply, today’s actions to remove taxpayer-funded data from the public domain impacts everyone in the United States, directly contradicts the mission of the federal statistical system, and robs the public of a benefit paid for by them.
Our organization remains committed to open access to data as a foundation for informed decision-making. If you or your organization depend on these sources, we need your input. Share how these changes affected your work by sending us an email–info [at] apdu [dot] org. Your feedback will help us assess the broader impact and communicate the importance of maintaining access to reliable, high-quality public data.
Additionally, we encourage you to share this information with colleagues, engage with policymakers, and support efforts to uphold data principles.
On behalf of all public data users, we urge the immediate restoration of these crucial datasets.