Thanks, Rachel. I've added a link to this text to ISSUE-188.
https://www.w3.org/2011/tracking-protection/track/issues/188
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Thomas Roessler, W3C <tlr@w3.org> (@roessler)
On 2012-11-15, at 16:07 +0100, Rachel Thomas <RThomas@the-dma.org> wrote:
> As I promised Aleecia during yesterday’s TPWG call, I am submitting the Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) definition of “de-identification” to fulfill Action 286 in advance of the deadline this Friday.
>
> The DAA definition is as follows:
>
> “De-Identification Process: Data has been De-Identified when an entity has taken reasonable steps to ensure that the data cannot reasonably be re-associated or connected to an individual or connected to or be associated with a particular computer or device. An entity should take reasonable steps to protect the non-identifiable nature of data if it is distributed to non-Affiliates and obtain satisfactory written assurance that such entities will not attempt to reconstruct the data in a way such that an individual may be re-identified and will use or disclose the de-identified data only for uses as specified by the entity. An entity should also take reasonable steps to ensure that any non-Affiliate that receives de-identified data will itself ensure that any further non-Affiliate entities to which such data is disclosed agree to restrictions and conditions set forth in this [definition].”
>
> It is worth noting that this approach to de-identifying data is modeled on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approach to masking online identifiers to protect children under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). For example, the FTC states in question #45 of its COPPA FAQ that Web sites that “hash” or otherwise alter children’s email addresses when collecting them to be stored and used to create a password reminder system are not deemed to be collecting and using personal information and, therefore, do not trigger COPPA’s parental consent requirement. (Hashing being a one-way, irreversible process that protects the original data but permits ongoing indexing of the hashed values on an anonymous or de-identified basis). The rule that emerges from this is that it suffices for purposes of protecting privacy if identifiers are altered after they are collected such that they cannot be reconstructed into their original form in the ordinary course of business but the altered form remains available to be used by Web sites to recognize and distinguish among specific visitors to Web sites.
>
> Thanks, and best,
> Rachel
>
> Rachel Nyswander Thomas
> Vice President, Government Affairs
> Direct Marketing Association
> (202) 861-2443 office
> (202) 560-2335 cell
> rthomas@the-dma.org