Superconductor: How useful is de-identification for protecting privacy?
The claim that the de-identification of personal data has no value and does not protect privacy due to the ease of re-identification is a myth. If proper de-identification techniques and re-identification risk measurement procedures are used, re-identification remains a relatively difficult task. However, we recognize that this is not a static exercise – it is everchanging. As re-identification techniques become more sophisticated and more personal information becomes available to facilitate re-identification, it is important to reassess and strengthen de-identification and re-identification risk management techniques.
