DOGE Terminates Census Surveys, Raises US Data Infrastructure Concerns

Elon Musk's group, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is targeting several U.S. Census Bureau surveys it deems wasteful, having terminated five surveys costing $16.5 million without specifying which ones. These surveys included questions about alcohol consumption and internet usage, and likely involved the Survey of Inmates in Local Jails and the Ask U.S. Panel, according to experts. The move has raised concerns among data users about the stability of the nation's statistical infrastructure and the legality of canceling surveys without public notice and comment, which is required by law. Experts argue that these surveys provide valuable data for Congress and federal agencies to implement laws and develop policies and emphasize that the data belongs to the public, who funded its collection. The Census Bureau has not responded to inquiries regarding the survey cancellations. The DOGE group continues to review other surveys individually as part of its federal spending cuts initiative.