How Your Information Is Protected

The following are a few of the things BLS and RTI, the organization that conducts the survey, do to make sure your information remains confidential:

• Your answers are confidential. Your survey answers are not connected to your name or other information that identifies you.
• Your name is kept separate from your survey answers. Personal information is removed before researchers can use the data.
• We do not display your name where others can see it. We never put your name on the outside of an envelope, postcard, or anywhere else that could reveal your participation.
• We do not sell or provide your name to mailing lists.
• BLS and RTI staff receive yearly training on information security, privacy awareness, and the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA).
• Your data are stored on secure systems. We follow National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines to protect the integrity, confidentiality, and security of our systems.
• RTI interviewers use secure laptops. These laptops are protected by passwords and data encryption. After your data are securely sent to our information system, they are removed from the interviewer’s laptop.
• Researchers must follow strict rules. Some researchers may apply for special permission to use restricted data. If approved, they must complete the same security training and follow the same confidentiality requirements as BLS and RTI staff.
• There are penalties for breaking confidentiality. Anyone who improperly shares confidential respondent information can face serious legal penalties.

We Keep Your Information Confidential

• BLS understands the importance of keeping your information and your answers to survey questions confidential.
• We do not share your individual survey responses.
  • We present your data only when combined with the data from other NLSY participants.  
• We never share any data that can identify you.
  • We follow strict methods to make sure your data stay confidential. 

Keeping Your Information Is the Law

• The main federal law that protects your information is the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA).
• CIPSEA makes sure that your data are not shared with anyone who is not authorized to have access.  
• CIPSEA also makes sure that your data will be used only for statistical purposes. 
  • If any officer, employee, or agent of BLS shares your information with a person who is not authorized to view your data, CIPSEA imposes large penalties. 
  • For more information about BLS confidentiality rules and protections, please see: 
    • BLS confidentiality information
    • NLSY27 Data Use and Protections Statement

Last modified date: March 25, 2026