Lockheed Martin, the US technology and aerospace company, has won the contract to support the delivery of the 2011 Census for England and Wales, despite critics' concerns that the company's involvement might allow the US authorities to access the personal data of anyone filling in a British census form.

Fears about Lockheed Martin prompted an internet campaign to prevent it securing the contract by protesters concerned that data processed by the company might be forcibly disclosed to the US authorities under the 2002 Patriot Act.