5 Anonymization Methods
Choose the right protection method for your compliance requirements. From complete redaction to reversible encryption, we've got you covered.
Replace
Substitute detected PII with realistic fake data that maintains document readability.
Best For:
- Testing environments
- Demo data generation
- Training datasets
- Document sharing
Example
Before
Contact John Smith at john.smith@company.com
After
Contact Jane Doe at jane.doe@example.com
Redact
Completely remove PII from the document, replacing it with a placeholder like [REDACTED].
Best For:
- Legal documents
- FOIA requests
- Public records
- Court filings
Example
Before
Contact John Smith at john.smith@company.com
After
Contact [REDACTED] at [REDACTED]
Hash (SHA-256)
One-way cryptographic hash that allows for consistent pseudonymization across documents.
Best For:
- Research data
- Analytics
- Cross-document linking
- Pseudonymization
Example
Before
Contact John Smith at john.smith@company.com
After
Contact a1b2c3d4 at e5f6g7h8
Encrypt (AES-256-GCM)
Reversible encryption that allows authorized users to recover original data with the correct key.
Best For:
- Temporary anonymization
- Data recovery needs
- Audit requirements
- Reversible workflows
Example
Before
Contact John Smith at john.smith@company.com
After
Contact [ENC:xyz123] at [ENC:abc456]
Mask
Partially obscure PII while keeping some characters visible for reference.
Best For:
- Customer support
- Verification displays
- Partial visibility needs
- User interfaces
Example
Before
Contact John Smith at john.smith@company.com
After
Contact J*** S**** at j***.s****@c******.com
Method Comparison
| Method | Reversible | Linkable | Readable | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Replace | No | No | Yes | Testing, Demos |
| Redact | No | No | Partial | Legal, Public Records |
| Hash | No | Yes | No | Research, Analytics |
| Encrypt | Yes | No | No | Temporary, Audit |
| Mask | Partial | No | Partial | Support, UI Display |
Try All Methods Free
Start with 300 free tokens per month. Experiment with all anonymization methods.
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