What is data anonymization?

Data anonymization is the process of transforming personal or sensitive data so that individuals cannot be identified, either directly or indirectly. This is typically achieved by removing or encrypting identifiers such as names, addresses, or social security numbers, and sometimes by aggregating data. The goal is to protect privacy while still allowing the data to be used for analysis or research. Data anonymization is crucial in complying with privacy regulations like GDPR and HIPAA. Properly anonymized data helps organizations minimize risk while making valuable data available for insights and decision-making.