What is pseudonymization?

Pseudonymization is defined as the process of replacing personal data with fake identifiers, thereby protecting individuals' identities while still allowing for data processing under certain conditions. This technique enables organizations to handle personal information without directly revealing the identity of the individual. By substituting identifiers with pseudonyms, data can still be utilized for analysis or research without compromising the privacy of the data subjects.

This method helps meet regulatory requirements surrounding data protection, such as those outlined in GDPR, while still allowing businesses to gain insights from the data they collect. Importantly, pseudonymization can also facilitate compliance with privacy laws, as it reduces the risk of personal data exposure.

The other options do not accurately describe pseudonymization. Encrypting personal data, deleting personal data, or converting it into public data involve different processes and security measures, each serving distinct purposes in data management and privacy compliance.