> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.bdb.ai/7.6/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.bdb.ai/7.6/data-center/data-preparation-beta-release/data-preparation-workspace/transforms/anonymization.md).
# Anonymization
Anonymization is a type of information sanitization whose intent is privacy protection. It is a data processing technique that removes or modifies personally identifiable information.
## 
## **Data Masking**
Data masking transform is the process of hiding original data with modified content. It is a method of creating a structurally similar but inauthentic version of an actual **data.**
* Select the ***Data Masking*** transform from the ***Transforms*** tab.
* Select a column from data grid for transformation.
* Select a start index and end index which you want to mask.
* Click the ***Submit*** option.
* Below is the snapshot of how the ***Data Masking*** transform when applied converts the selected data:
The selected column gets Masked like as shown in the following image:
## **Data Hashing**
Data Hashing is a technique of using an algorithm to map data of any size to a fixed length. Every hash value is unique. The supported Hash options are Hash, Sha-1, Sha-2 and MD-5.
* Select the ***Data Hashing*** transform from the ***Transforms*** tab.
* Select a column from data grid for transformation.
* Select the required ***Hash Option***- Hash, Sha-1, Sha-2, MD-5.
* Click the ***Submit*** option.
The following image displays the transformed data after the ***Data Hashing*** transform is applied.
The selected column gets converted to
## **Data Variance**
* Select the ***Data Variance*** transform from the ***Transforms*** tab.
* Select a column from data grid for transformation.
* Select the required Value Type-Numeric/Date.
* Select an adequate operator from the options and a Percentage value.
* Click the ***Submit*** option.
* Below is the snapshot of how the ***Data Variance*** transform when applied converts the selected data:
By applying the Data Variant transform to a Date column.
The column displays the given values.
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