Anonymisation
The irreversible process of altering data so that individuals can no longer be identified, directly or indirectly.
Full Definition
Anonymisation is the process of permanently modifying personal data so that it can no longer be attributed to a specific individual, even with additional information. Unlike pseudonymisation, true anonymisation is irreversible. Once data is genuinely anonymised, it falls outside the scope of most data protection laws including GDPR. Achieving true anonymisation is technically challenging — many supposedly anonymised datasets can be re-identified using auxiliary information. Common anonymisation techniques include data aggregation, data suppression, noise addition, and generalisation.
Related terms
Pseudonymisation
The process of replacing directly identifying data with pseudonyms, so the data can no longer be attributed to a specific individual without additional information.
Personal Data
Any information that relates to an identified or identifiable natural person.
Data Minimisation
The principle that only personal data that is adequate, relevant, and limited to what is necessary should be collected and processed.
Relevant regulations
Automate your privacy program
TruePrivacy handles DSRs, consent management, data mapping, and breach response — all in one platform.