How is company data anonymised before it is sold?
Updated
Short answer: The anonymisation pipeline runs inside your own environment, so raw data never leaves. It replaces personal details, client names, account IDs and credentials, removes exact figures, then runs a re-identification test and drops any record that still fails. You review a sample before anything is delivered.
What gets removed or replaced?
- Names, email addresses, phone numbers and other personal details.
- Client and partner names, account IDs and other identifiers.
- Passwords, API keys, tokens and other credentials.
- Exact financial figures and other values that could identify a deal or person.
Why run it inside your environment?
Because raw data never has to leave your systems. Only the anonymised output, after your review, is delivered to the buyer.
What is a re-identification test?
After identifiers are removed, each record is checked for whether it could still be traced back to a person or client from what remains, such as a rare combination of details. Records that fail are dropped rather than patched.
Does anonymisation reduce the value?
A little. Stripping identifiers loses some signal, which is why valuations take about 15% off. See what company data is worth.
Frequently asked questions
Does my raw data leave my company?
No. The pipeline runs inside your environment and only anonymised output is delivered, after you approve a sample.
What happens to records that can't be anonymised?
They are dropped. Anything that fails the re-identification test is excluded from delivery.
Can I check the anonymised data?
Yes. You review a sample before anything is delivered to a buyer.