4. Anonymization and re-identification

When, for one reason or another, it is no longer possible to store personal data in its original form, anonymization can be seen as an interesting alternative, enabling a different use to be made of information that has theoretically become risk-free for the people concerned. Nevertheless, effective anonymization is impossible in all cases, and it is essential to be aware of the problems associated with anonymization, which is necessarily imperfect, and with the possible re-identification of individuals.