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De‑anonymization
Privacy
Figuring out who “anonymous” data belongs to.
Definition
De‑anonymization is when someone links “anonymous” data back to a real person.
In plain English
Figuring out who “anonymous” data belongs to.
Why this matters
Why it matters: It can reveal private details even if a dataset was shared as “anonymous.”
Example
Example: Combining two datasets makes it possible to identify a person by their pattern of locations.