Anonymization irreversibly removes any method of identifying the data subject (such as a research participant’s name, email, or account number). Once data has been anonymized, it cannot be reversed. In contrast, pseudonymization in a dataset means that personal identifiers such as name and email address have been removed. Instead, individual records use an “alias” or pseudonym – this can be reversed. See also Pseudonymization.
« Back to Glossary Index
