Reidentifizierungsgefahr

Reidentifizierungsgefahr refers to the risk that anonymized or pseudonymized data can be linked back to an individual, thereby compromising their privacy. This is a critical concern in data protection and information security. Anonymization techniques aim to remove or obscure personally identifiable information (PII) so that individuals cannot be identified. Pseudonymization replaces PII with artificial identifiers, allowing for data to be processed while still maintaining a link to the original data subject, but requiring additional information to re-identify them.

The danger arises when the anonymized or pseudonymized data, when combined with other available information (either publicly accessible or obtained through breaches), allows for the re-linking of the data to a specific person. This can occur through various means, such as the presence of unique or quasi-unique attributes within the dataset, the use of sophisticated algorithms to find patterns, or through inference attacks. For instance, a dataset containing a combination of rare demographic information, geographical location, and purchase history might be sufficient to re-identify an individual if other sources of information are available.

Mitigating reidentifizierungsgefahr involves employing robust anonymization and pseudonymization methods, carefully assessing the risk of re-identification before data release, and implementing strict access controls and security measures for any auxiliary data that could be used for re-identification. Regulations like the GDPR also address this risk by setting standards for data processing and requiring data controllers to implement appropriate safeguards.