Anonymization is the process of removing all identifying details from personal data so that the individual behind the data cannot be recognized by anyone. It goes beyond simply hiding a name or number; true anonymization makes it impossible to trace information back to a specific person. Once data has been anonymized, the process cannot be reversed.
Anonymization matters for artificial intelligence and human rights because it directly affects the right to privacy. When done correctly, it allows data to be used for research, innovation, and decision-making without violating a person’s dignity or exposing them to harm. It also reduces risks of discrimination, surveillance, or misuse of personal information. However, weak or careless anonymization can be dangerous, especially as advanced technologies make it easier to re-identify individuals from supposedly anonymous data.
The ethical position is clear: anonymization should be treated as a human rights safeguard. It protects people from exploitation and helps ensure that powerful technologies like AI serve the public good rather than strip away personal freedoms.
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