University of Kwazulu-Natal

Bedrock Federal Data Sets Are Disappearing As Statistical Agencies

Bonisiwe Shabane
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bedrock federal data sets are disappearing as statistical agencies

There’s been lots of talk – and some numbers (often in the thousands) – about disappearing federal datasets, especially after many went dark last January when agencies rushed to scrub the perceived spectre of... Most of those datasets have returned from the dead, some permanently changed by the experience. Though it’s premature to breathe a sigh of relief – the future of federal data remains in jeopardy – we thought Halloween was an opportune time to ask, which federal datasets have left this... For the most part, the vast majority of the hundreds of thousands of datasets produced by the federal government are still alive, and have so far escaped mutilation1 or termination. By our rough counts, the datasets that have been truly axed number perhaps in the dozens (not hundreds or thousands). All federal datasets are currently at risk of death by a thousand cuts, weakened by the loss of staff and expertise, contracts, and scientific advisory committees.

Just because a given dataset hasn’t been explicitly killed off, doesn’t mean that an agency still has the capacity to collect, protect, process, and publish that data. Also, datasets and variables that do not align with Administration priorities, or might reflect poorly on Administration policy impacts, seem to be especially in the cross-hairs. We’ve identified three types of data decedents. Examples are below, but visit the Dearly Departed Dataset Graveyard at EssentialData.US for a more complete tally and relevant links. Beginning in January 2025, many federal datasets, websites, and other previously accessible resources, across agencies, are being taken offline to comply with executive orders. In some cases, press releases or data documentation have been removed; in others, entire datasets have been taken down.

Evidence is growing that even datasets that remain accessible on an agency’s website may have scrubbed, corrupted, or otherwise altered information. Learn more about missing, altered or restored federal data: New York Times (02/11/25): Judge Orders C.D.C. to Temporarily Restore Deleted HHS, CDC & FDA Web Pages. The temporary restraining order was granted in response to a lawsuit filed against the federal government by Doctors for America (DFA), a progressive advocacy group representing physicians, and the nonprofit Public Citizen, a consumer... Previously restored pages include the Atlas Tool, used by policymakers to track rates of infectious diseases such as HIV and STIs; pages that explained the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, which monitors adolescent health;...

Silencing Science Tracker: joint initiative of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law and the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund, tracking government attempts to restrict or prohibit scientific research since the November 2016 election People rely on data from federal agencies every day – often without realizing it. Rural residents use groundwater level data from the U.S. geological survey’s National Water Information System to decide where to dig wells. High school coaches turn to weather apps supported by data from the National Weather Service to decide when to move practice inside to avoid life-threatening heat. Emergency managers use data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey to ensure that residents without vehicles have seats on evacuation buses during local emergencies.

On Jan. 31, 2025, websites and datasets from across the federal government began to disappear. As that happened, archivists and researchers from around the world sprang into action, grabbing what they could before it was gone. Trust in the federal statistical system took another hit when Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer was fired on the heels of a dismal Aug. 1, 2025, employment report. And reduced data collection at the bureau was already causing concern before her dismissal.

The bureau has ceased collection of critical inputs to the Consumer Price Index, likely reducing that inflation indicator’s accuracy, especially at the level of specific locations and products. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s Redistricting Advisory Commission will recommend new congressional maps, members decided during a private meeting Thursday night. In a statement, Commission Chair Sen. Angela Alsobrooks said the group will “continue our work to recommend a congressional map to the Governor and the General Assembly.” Starting January 20, 2025, federal data, webpages, and other government information previously accessible to researchers and the public began disappearing in compliance with executive orders.

This situation continues to evolve. The Journalist’s Resource provides an overview of the current situation, published by the Shorenstein Center at the Harvard Kennedy School. Preserving Data Access- In his blog post Preserving Data Access (Feb. 5, 2025), Joel Herndon highlights concerns about federal dataset removals and their impact on research at Duke University. He emphasizes the library’s efforts to collaborate with data curation experts to preserve access and encourages researchers to seek support for data sourcing. Thousands of U.S.

Government Web Pages Have Been Taken Down- Since late January 2025, U.S. federal agencies have removed or altered over 8,000 web pages, including thousands from the CDC covering topics like chronic illnesses, reproductive care, and vaccine guidelines. Changes also included revisions to National Park Service content and the removal of references to diversity and gender identity. The Environmental Data & Governance Initiative advocates for access to environmental data. memeorandum is an auto-generated summary of the stories that US political commentators are discussing online right now. Unlike sister sites Techmeme and Mediagazer, it is not a human-edited news outlet, but rather a media-monitoring tool for sophisticated news consumers.

View the current page or another snapshot: Beginning in January 2025, many federal datasets, websites, and other previously accessible resources are being taken offline to comply with executive orders, most notably CDC, EPA, and NIH data. Much of the data targeted is ostensibly related to health disparities among different demographics, especially race/ethnicity, gender, and sexuality. Because these variables are important factors in health research, however, many large and broad-scope data sets are affected. Evidence is growing that even datasets that remain accessible on an agency’s website may have scrubbed, corrupted, or otherwise altered information. Learn more about missing or altered federal data:

The Journalists Resource: overview of the current situation from the Shorenstein Center at the Kennedy School Environmental Data & Governance Initiative: advocacy group for access to environmental data Please recommend resources to be added to this guide.

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