Please note: The algorithm descriptions in English have been automatically translated. Errors may have been introduced in this process. For the original descriptions, go to the Dutch version of the Algorithm Register.

Anonymising documents

The municipality is obliged to publish all official publications. Many of these documents, such as licensing decisions, contain sensitive information. Therefore, the documents have to be anonymised. This is done with the help of an algorithm.

Last change on 29th of February 2024, at 19:01 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0
Publication category
Other algorithms
Impact assessment
DPIA
Status
In use

General information

Theme

Organisation and business operations

Begin date

07-2021

Contact information

opendata@groningen.nl

Link to source registration

https://data.groningen.nl/dataset/algoritmeregister-gemeente-groningen

Responsible use

Goal and impact

The purpose of the algorithm is to make the municipality's operations faster, more efficient and cheaper. We think the impact on citizens and businesses is not very big, because it does not change the outcome. The work of anonymising documents is mainly faster.

Considerations

The use of anonymisation software makes it faster and easier for the municipality to make documents suitable for publication. Automated anonymisation also appears to lead to fewer errors. This reduces the risk of a data leak and citizens' and companies' data are better protected. The outcomes are no different from if this work were done manually by humans.

Human intervention

An employee of the municipality uploads the document to be anonymised into the Anonimizer application. The employee then downloads the result and checks it. If necessary, the document is post-edited. It is then published.

Risk management

Exceptions can be defined in an "allow-list" or a "deny-list". In the allow-list, terms are put that are always allowed to remain, e.g. the visiting address or general telephone number of the organisation. The deny-list contains terms that must always be omitted.

Legal basis

The municipality is obliged to publish all official publications under the Electronic Publications Act (WEP). This law is intended to increase the accessibility of (proposed) government decisions by allowing you to find all (proposed) decisions at www.officielebekendmakingen.nl. The Open Government Act (WOO) regulates the right to information on everything the government does.

The General Data Protection Regulation (AVG) sets out how personal data, such as address details and citizen service numbers, should be handled. These should not be recorded and shared just like that.

Links to legal bases

  • Wet elektronische publicaties (WEP): https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0043961
  • Wet Open Overheid (WOO): https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0045754
  • Algemene verordening gegevensbescherming (AVG): https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0041233

Impact assessment

DPIA: De uitkomsten zijn niet openbaar.

Operations

Data

Data anonymised by blurring in documents are personal names, addresses, postal codes, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, citizen service numbers (BSN), VAT numbers, IBAN bank account numbers, municipal employees, signatures and construction costs. Data anonymised by blurring in images are people and vehicle registration numbers.

Links to data sources

Website Anonimizer : https://anonimizer.nl/privacy/

Technical design

The algorithm works with natural language processing. This recognises personal data in documentation and anonymises it.

External provider

Anonymiser

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