Personal data could be gathered from Zoopla and Twitter in order to compile the census, the Office for National Statistics has said.
The Telegraph reports that under pressure to cut the costs of the census, the ONS is planning a major overhaul.
The paper says: “In four pilot schemes due to report back in 2023, the office is experimenting with using data from mobile phone users, electricity smart meters, Twitter and property site Zoopla.
“It is hoped finding new sources of data will improve response rates and cut costs.”
The Telegraph says that critics have warned that the changes could raise concerns about privacy.
The last census in 2011 cost £625m.
Jane Naylor, head of the ONS’s Big Data Project, said: “It isn’t just about saving money, it’s about updating and modernising the output that we can produce, keeping relevant and meeting our user needs.”
EYE did invite Zoopla to comment on the Telegraph story.
That will teach me to take holidays, I missed the opportunity to make a point about DPA.
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