What are the limits of anonymization?

What are the limits of anonymization in data privacy?

Anonymization can reduce the risk of identifying individuals, but it isn't foolproof. Techniques like re-identification can sometimes link anonymized data back to individuals.

Can you give examples of when anonymization failed?

Sure! One famous case is the Netflix Prize dataset, where users' movie ratings were anonymized, but researchers were able to identify individuals by cross-referencing with public data.

What methods are used to anonymize data?

Common methods include data masking, aggregation, and differential privacy, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

How can organizations ensure better anonymization?

Organizations can implement robust data governance policies, regularly update their anonymization techniques, and conduct risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities.