We got selected to participate in a test run of the census. The Census Bureau is verifying their procedures and systems in preparation for the 2010 census. The questions asked are pretty innocuous, but I still found myself reluctant to answer fully and completely. Being the introspective, analytical sort, I tried to figure out why. After all, I am required by law to answer, and the forms repeatedly state that violation of my privacy by Census Bureau employees is punishable by law 1 . I realized that I have been trained to be suspicious of any instance in which I am asked to provide personal information without an obvious need for it. It could be the cashier asking for my home phone number, which they never get. It could be some web service not related to email that nonetheless wants my email address. It could be the gas station asking for my zip code 2 . Every day, I refuse intrusions into my privacy by parties that do not work for me and do not have my best interests at heart. The Census Bureau may be sincere and perfect in protecting my privacy, but the government has done a poor job overall 3 . I have been trained to be on my guard constantly, to be instantly suspicious of anyone asking personal questions. The Census Bureau may be trustworthy, but I deal with so many parties that are not that it is very hard to overcome my conditioning. The failure of the government to protect me thus reduces the breadth and quality of legitimate information-gathering efforts such as the Census.