Developing access to confidential data in France: results and new challenges

Abstract

Over the past twenty years, in various countries, secure access to data for the members of the research community was eased in a significant manner. Such data involve microdata and granular data from administrative records and detailed individual surveys. While some difficulties remain, the scene has been extensively redesigned, and new players emerged on both sides of the fence: data holders and users, both challenging what seemed to be well-established boundaries. In the French case, access to confidential data for research purposes has been carefully facilitated. The paper analyses the French developments and current achievements, providing insights into how obstacles can be overcome and newly emerging issues