Definition[]
Data re-identification (also re-identification) is
| “ | the process of turning anonymised data back into personal data through the use of data matching or similar techniques.[1] | ” |
| “ | [a] general term for any process that re-establishes the relationship between identifying data and a data subject.[2] | ” |
Overview[]
In order to protect the privacy of consumers, personal identifiers, such as social security numbers, are often removed from databases containing sensitive information. This de-identified information safeguards consumer privacy. However, computer scientists recently revealed that this anonymized data can be re-identified, such that the sensitive information may be linked back to an individual.