Census Worker’s Home Burglarized, Raising Concerns About Data Security in Morocco
Fez, Morocco - A recent burglary in Fez has raised concerns about data security and the safety of census workers as Morocco undertakes its 2024 General Census of Population and Housing. The incident, which took place on Sunday, targeted the home of an individual involved in the census collection process.
Local sources confirmed that thieves made off with a tablet specifically assigned for census work, along with 3,500 Moroccan Dirhams. The burglary occurred in the Al-Murabitin neighborhood, and authorities in Fez have launched an investigation.
This incident comes at a critical time, as the 2024 census is officially underway across the nation. The theft of a device containing sensitive census data highlights potential vulnerabilities in the system.
While there’s no indication yet of widespread data breaches related to the census, this event underscores the importance of robust security measures to protect both census workers and the information they collect.
Data security is paramount in any national census. The United States, for example, has faced its own challenges in this area. The U.S. Census Bureau has invested heavily in cybersecurity measures, particularly after a 2016 incident where hackers accessed personal information of millions of Americans.
The incident in Fez serves as a reminder that census data, which forms the backbone of national planning and resource allocation, must be protected at all costs. It remains to be seen what additional security measures Moroccan authorities will implement to ensure the integrity of the 2024 census.
