OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERALPress Releases
U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General Finds BLS Reduced Risk of Improper Disclosures, but Additional Improvements Are Needed
June 30, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (OIG), today released its final audit report, “BLS Reduced Risk of Improper Disclosure of Essential Economic Information Yet Additional Improvements Are Needed,” examining how the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) responded to three incidents in 2024 involving the improper or premature release of essential economic information.
Background
In May 2024, Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Real Earnings data were released prematurely, allowing 72 Internet Service Providers to access sensitive information before its official release. In August 2024, during a delay in publishing Current Employment Statistics (CES) preliminary benchmark data, BLS staff provided the data via telephone and email to individuals who inquired—resulting in inequitable access. Additionally, on three separate days in 2024, internal or inaccurate CPI methodology was shared with a limited group of external users prior to public dissemination. In all three cases, BLS leadership learned of the incidents up to an hour after they occurred, sometimes through social media or other agencies rather than internal reporting channels.
OIG Findings
The OIG found that BLS has implemented meaningful corrective actions to reduce the risk of improper disclosure. These included updates to IT safeguards, revised performance standards, enhanced management oversight, updated policies, and expanded staff training. However, the audit also identified additional opportunities for improvement. The report emphasizes the importance of consistent compliance with federal statistical policy to ensure that no one receives an economic or political advantage through early or unauthorized access to essential economic information.
“Protecting the integrity of our nation’s economic data is paramount. These incidents demonstrate why stronger safeguards and clear procedures are essential. While BLS has taken meaningful steps to reduce the risk of improper disclosures, our work reinforces that continued improvements are critical to ensure every user has equal and secure access to federal economic information,” said Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor.
The OIG recommends that BLS further strengthen its testing procedures; more clearly incorporate guidance related to restricted access information into training programs; and finalize updates to its Crisis Communication Plan to ensure timely internal reporting should a future incident occur.
For additional information on DOL OIG, please visit oig.dol.gov. If you suspect wrongdoing involving DOL programs or operations, contact the DOL-OIG Hotline at (800) 347-3756 or oig.dol.gov/hotlinecontact.htm.
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