One key method for ensuring privacy while processing large amounts of data is de-identification. De-identified data refers to data through which a link to a particular individual cannot be established. This often involves “scrubbing” the identifiable elements of personal data, making it “safe” in privacy terms while attempting to retain its commercial and scientific value.
In the era of big data, the debate over the definition of personal information, de-identification and re-identification has never been more important. Privacy regimes often rely on data being considered Personal in order to require the application of privacy rights and protections. Data that is anonymous is considered free of privacy risk and available for public use.
Yet much data that is collected and used exists somewhere on a spectrum between these stages. FPF’s De-ID Project has examined practical frameworks for applying privacy restrictions to data based on the nature of data that is collected, the risks of de-identification, and the additional legal and administrative protections that may be applied.
Twelve Privacy Investments for Your Company for a Stronger 2025
FPF has put together a list of Twelve Privacy Investments for Your Company for a Stronger 2025 that reflects on new perspectives on the work that privacy teams do at their organizations. We hope there is something here that’s useful where you work, and we’d love to hear other ideas and feedback. Privacy Investments for Your […]
FPF’s Year in Review 2024
With contributions from Judy Wang, Communications Intern 2024 was a landmark year for the Future of Privacy Forum, as we continued to grow our privacy leadership through research and analysis, domestic and global meetings, expert testimony, and more – all while commemorating our 15th anniversary. Expanding our AI Footprint While 2023 was the year of […]
FPF Launches Infographics in Chinese
As FPF’s work expands to include an international audience, we are pleased to relaunch FPF’s popular infographics in various languages. Because conversations around data protection have become more global, the need for high-quality information and new forms of communication in different languages continues to increase. The infographics translation project aims to help FPF provide a […]
A New Era for Japanese Data Protection: 2020 Amendments to the APPI
The recent amendments to Japan’s data protection law contain a number of new provisions certain to alter – and for many foreign businesses, transform – the ways in which companies conduct business in or with Japan.
Chasing the Golden Goose: What is the path to effective anonymisation?
Searching for effective methods and frameworks of de-identification often looks like chasing the Golden Goose of privacy law. For each answer that claims to unlock the question of anonymisation, there seems to be a counter-answer that declares anonymisation dead. In an attempt to de-mystify this race and un-tangle de-identification in practical ways, the Future of Privacy Forum and the Brussels Privacy Hub joined forces to organize the Brussels Symposium on De-identification – “Identifiability: Policy and Practical Solutions for Anonymisation and Pseudonymisation”.
FPF in Brussels: The Law and Science of De-Identification
Last week, FPF brought together a panel of technology, legal, regulatory, and business voices to discuss “The Law and Science of De-Identification” at the 10th annual Computers, Privacy, and Data Protection conference.
Advancing Knowledge Regarding Practical Solutions for De-Identification of Personal Data: A Call for Papers
De-identification of personal information plays a central role in current privacy policy, law, and practice. Yet there are deep disagreements about the efficacy of de-identification to mitigate privacy risks. Some critics argue that it is impossible to eliminate privacy harms from publicly released data using de-identification because other available data sets will allow attackers to identify individuals through linkage attacks.
FPF Welcomes New Senior Fellow – Ira Rubinstein
FPF is proud to welcome its newest Senior Fellow, Ira Rubinstein. Ira will be working with FPF staff, fellows and members on a number of cross-Atlantic privacy issues and will be collaborating with EU academics and institutions on projects focused on de-identification, ethics, big data, and other issues. Ira Rubinstein is a Senior Fellow at […]
Essays on Big Data and Privacy
A collection of essays by leading scholars and privacy advocates on the legal, technological, social, and policy implications of Big Data, emerging out of our 2013 Big Data and Privacy…
EU Roundtable Discussion & White Paper launch
The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) is engaged in the discussion on the draft European General Data Protection Regulation. In particular, we are publishing white papers addressing three issues raised by the new legislation: De-identification and the definition of personal data Jurisdiction and applicable law Consent You and your colleagues are warmly invited to attend […]