What is Anonymity versus Pseudonymity (2024)

FAQs

What is Anonymity versus Pseudonymity? ›

Anonymity means that an individual dealing with an APP entity cannot be identified and the entity does not collect personal information or identifiers. A pseudonym is a name, term or descriptor that is different to an individual's actual name.

It allows individuals to maintain a level of privacy by not fully disclosing their personal details while using a consistent identifier. Anonymity can be defined simply as being without a name or with an unknown name. Pseudonymity is the use of a false name or alias.

Pseudonymization and anonymization are both techniques used to protect the privacy of individuals in the processing of personal data. The choice between the two depends on the specific situation and the level of privacy protection that is required.

Unlike traditional financial systems, blockchain networks aim to provide pseudonymity and confidentiality without relying on centralized authorities. The concept of anonymity in blockchain revolves around obscuring transaction details such as sender addresses, recipient addresses, and transaction amounts.

Someone who is anonymous is able to operate or speak in a way that makes them unidentifiable. Someone who is pseudonymous operates or speaks in a way in which they can be identified, but their identification shields who they actually are.

Anonymity means that an individual dealing with an APP entity cannot be identified and the entity does not collect personal information or identifiers. • A pseudonym is a name, term or descriptor that is different to an individual's actual name.

APP 2 provides individuals an option of dealing with Defence anonymously or through the use of a pseudonym. For example, if a person rings Defence to ask a generic query, APP 2 means that people should be allowed to communicate with Defence without having to reveal their identity or by providing a pseudonym.

/ˌsuː.dəˈnɪm.ə.t̬i/ Add to word list Add to word list. the use of a different name from your real name, especially on something you have written: Much of the web is dominated by anonymity and pseudonymity. Her friends living in the police state are cloaked in pseudonymity for their own safety.

Pseudonymity means using a pseudonym instead of one's "real" name. Examples include pen names of authors such as Mark Twain or Cecil Adams, as well as stage names of performers such as Woody Allen or Ice T. Usernames used online, if not connected to a person's legal identity, are examples of pseudonyms.

Where data has been anonymised, the original information should be securely deleted to prevent any reversing of the 'anonymisation' process. In most cases, if this deletion does not take place then the data is classified as 'pseudonymised' rather than 'anonymised', and is still considered personal data.

Why is pseudonymity important? ›

The primary advantage of pseudonymity is the protection it offers: it creates a buffer between an individual's digital and real-world identities, ensuring they aren't easily linked. This safeguards the individual's privacy and anonymity.

Stemming from the word "pseudonym," which means a fictitious name or alias, pseudonymous in the context of cryptocurrencies refers to the semi-anonymous nature of transactions and wallet addresses. Every user on blockchain platforms, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, operates with one or several addresses.

The legal distinction between anonymised and pseudonymised data is its categorisation as personal data. Pseudonymous data still allows for some form of re-identification (even indirect and remote), while anonymous data cannot be re-identified.

Anonymity can be defined simply as being without a name or with an unknown name. Pseudonymity is the use of a false name.

anonymity | American Dictionary

a situation in which a person is not known by or spoken of by name: For witnesses who may be afraid to speak out, the police have guaranteed anonymity . (Definition of anonymity from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

A pseudonym is a name that someone, often a writer, uses instead of their real name. The real name of Dr. Seuss was Theodore Seuss Geisel. Mark Twain was a pseudonym for the writer Samuel Clemens. A near synonym of pseudonym is pen name.

Anonymity and identity shielding allow a user to hide or disguise their identifying information online. While this protects their privacy, it can make it difficult to hold them responsible for what they say and do online.

Pseudonymization is the process of removing personal identifiers from data and replacing those identifiers with placeholder values. It is sometimes used for protecting personal privacy or improving data security.

Where data has been anonymised, the original information should be securely deleted to prevent any reversing of the 'anonymisation' process. In most cases, if this deletion does not take place then the data is classified as 'pseudonymised' rather than 'anonymised', and is still considered personal data.

Meaning of pseudonymity in English

the use of a different name from your real name, especially on something you have written: Much of the web is dominated by anonymity and pseudonymity. Her friends living in the police state are cloaked in pseudonymity for their own safety.