WorldAugust 12, 2026
reidentified
REE-eye-DEN-tuh-fied
Definition
The act of linking anonymous or de-identified data back to the specific individual to whom it originally belonged.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 're-' (again) and 'identificare' (to identify, from 'identicus' meaning identical); it entered modern technical usage as data privacy and anonymization techniques became standard practice.
In the news
The article uses the word to explain that removing names from large datasets is often insufficient because analysts can still trace behavioral patterns to track and identify specific secret service agents or military personnel.
Closing the Front Door: The Case for DOJ’s Bulk Data Security Program
Read the full article ↗Lawfare