anonimiseerimine

Anonimiseerimine is a process used to remove or obscure personally identifiable information from data so that it can no longer be traced back to an individual. This is a crucial step in data privacy and security, allowing for the use of data for research, analytics, or sharing without compromising individual identities. The goal is to transform data into a state where it is impossible to determine who the data pertains to.

There are various techniques employed in anonymisation. One common method is generalisation, where specific details are replaced with broader categories, such as replacing an exact age with an age range. Suppression involves removing entire data fields that could identify an individual, like names or addresses. Pseudonymisation is another technique where direct identifiers are replaced with artificial identifiers or pseudonyms. This allows for re-identification if the key linking the pseudonym to the original identity is known, making it a less complete form of anonymisation compared to true anonymisation.

The effectiveness of anonymisation is often judged by its ability to prevent re-identification, especially when combined with other available datasets. Different levels of anonymisation exist, and the appropriate technique depends on the sensitivity of the data and the intended use. Anonymised data is vital for complying with data protection regulations and fostering trust in data handling practices.