PECB Exam GDPR Topic 1 Question 5 Discussion

Actual exam question for PECB's GDPR exam

Question #: 5
Topic #: 1

[All GDPR Questions]

Which statement below regarding the difference between anonymization and pseudonymization is correct?

AAnonymization is reversible and the original data can be retrieved with the use of a public key encryption, while pseudonymization is not reversible and can be used only for non-identifiable data, such as gender, nationality, and occupation

BAnonymization is not reversible and the original data cannot be attributed to an individual, while pseudonymization is reversible and the original data can be attributed to an individual with the use of additional information

CAnonymization is the process of replacing a portion of the data with a common value to keep the identity of individuals anonymous, whereas pseudonymization is the process of adding mathematical noise to the data

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: B

According to GDPR Recital 26, anonymization permanently removes any possibility of re-identification, making it irreversible. Pseudonymization, as defined in Article 4(5), is reversible if the correct key or additional information is available. Pseudonymization still qualifies as personal data under GDPR, whereas anonymized data falls outside the scope of GDPR.

by Carmela at Mar 20, 2025, 07:48 AM

Limited Time Offer

25%

Off

Get Premium GDPR Questions as Interactive Web-Based Practice Test or PDF

Contribute your Thoughts:

Submit Cancel

Julio

2 months ago

Wait, is this a trick question? I'm just gonna go with B and hope for the best. Anonymization is irreversible, pseudonymization is reversible. Simple as that... or is it? *scratches head*

upvoted 0 times

Misty

17 days ago

User1: Let's go with B then. Fingers crossed!

upvoted 0 times

...

Francis

20 days ago

User3: I'm sticking with B. It just makes the most sense to me.

upvoted 0 times

...

Latia

30 days ago

User2: But what if we're wrong? Maybe it's A or C.

upvoted 0 times

...

Reiko

1 months ago

User1: I think it's B too. Anonymization is irreversible, pseudonymization is reversible.

upvoted 0 times

...

Ben

2 months ago

I agree with Sharen, pseudonymization is reversible, not anonymization

upvoted 0 times

...

Marion

2 months ago

Ugh, data privacy terms are the bane of my existence. But I think B is the correct answer here. Anonymization = unidentifiable, pseudonymization = identifiable with extra info. Easy peasy, right? *eye roll*

upvoted 0 times

Remona

1 months ago

Yeah, pseudonymization allows for re-identification with additional information.

upvoted 0 times

...

Ruby

1 months ago

I agree, B is the correct answer. Anonymization makes data unidentifiable.

upvoted 0 times

...

Vesta

2 months ago

But A) makes sense because anonymization is reversible

upvoted 0 times

...

Sharen

2 months ago

I disagree, I believe the correct statement is B)

upvoted 0 times

...

Vesta

2 months ago

I think the correct statement is A)

upvoted 0 times

...

Nana

3 months ago

This is a tricky one, but I'm leaning towards B. Anonymization is about making data unidentifiable, while pseudonymization is about replacing identifiers in a way that can be traced back. Just don't ask me to explain it in plain English!

upvoted 0 times

Lucy

2 months ago

I'm not sure, but B sounds logical. Anonymization and pseudonymization both play a role in protecting data privacy.

upvoted 0 times

...

Sheron

2 months ago

I agree, B seems to be the right choice. Anonymization and pseudonymization have different levels of reversibility.

upvoted 0 times

...

Justine

2 months ago

I think B is correct. Anonymization makes data unidentifiable, while pseudonymization can be traced back.

upvoted 0 times

...

Emogene

3 months ago

I'm torn between A and B, but I'll have to go with B. Anonymization is irreversible, while pseudonymization is reversible with additional info. Gotta love those data privacy terms!

upvoted 0 times

...

Noel

3 months ago

I think C is the way to go. Anonymization is about replacing data, while pseudonymization is about adding noise to obscure the original data. Simple enough, right?

upvoted 0 times

...

Brandon

3 months ago

Hmm, I'm pretty sure B is the correct answer. Anonymization makes the data completely unidentifiable, while pseudonymization just replaces identifiers with a code that can be traced back to the original data.

upvoted 0 times

Deandrea

2 months ago

So, anonymization is more about protecting privacy by making data untraceable, while pseudonymization still allows for some level of identification. Got it.

upvoted 0 times

...

Glynda

2 months ago

That makes sense. Anonymization is irreversible, while pseudonymization can be reversed with additional information.

upvoted 0 times

...

Margot

2 months ago

I think you're right, B sounds like the correct answer. Anonymization is about making data unidentifiable, while pseudonymization still allows for tracing back to the original.

upvoted 0 times

...