People rely on data from federal agencies daily. On Jan. 31, 2025, websites and datasets across the federal government began disappearing, and archivists and researchers captured what they could. Trust in the federal statistical system declined after the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner was fired following a weak Aug. 1, 2025 employment report. ICPSR has preserved and provided government and researcher data for more than 60 years as a steward. A preliminary review found 49% of 232 datasets substantially altered, including replacing “gender” with “sex,” and only 13% of changes were documented. Public preservation projects saved many datasets but cannot access sensitive, restricted data without vetting.
People rely on data from federal agencies every day-often without realizing it. 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.
As researchers of economics and epidemiology at the University of Michigan, we have spent years working with data, often from the federal government. When data and information began to disappear, we were spurred into action to preserve these important public goods. The Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, where we work-commonly known as ICPSR-has been making data from governments and researchers available for more than 60 years. We are stewards of this data, preserving it.
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