The Case of the Missing US Data

The "More or Less" podcast investigates the disappearance and alteration of US government data starting in February 2025. Host Tim Harford, with guests Maggie Levinstein and John Kubale, discusses how executive orders led to the shutdown of agency websites, budget cuts, and the firing of data-related personnel, making thousands of datasets inaccessible or modified. Specific examples include the removal of non-binary gender categories, changes to vaccine and climate data, and the discontinuation of data collection for the Consumer Prices Index in some cities. The episode highlights the real-life consequences of missing data, such as the inability to provide social supports for vulnerable populations and the impact on businesses. The fate of critical datasets like PRAMS, which monitors maternal and child health, remains uncertain due to staffing changes and funding issues, prompting efforts to safeguard existing data despite challenges like missing metadata.