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Pseudonymization
Privacy
Replacing identifiers with pseudonyms while keeping re-linking possible under controls.
Definition
Pseudonymization replaces identifying fields with pseudonyms (tokens, IDs) while keeping a separate “key” that could re-link the data under strict controls.
In plain English
Replacing identifiers with pseudonyms while keeping re-linking possible under controls.
Why this matters
Why it matters: It lowers risk compared to plain identifiers, but it is not the same as anonymization and remains personal data in many legal frameworks.
Example
Example: Database stores customer IDs and keeps the lookup table in a separate, access-controlled system.