Using PETs To Protect Personal Data

Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) are privacy controls that are incorporated into information systems to assist government and private organisations to comply with their privacy obligations and maintain relevant privacy standards in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

In an age where both private and public services are available online and individuals continually part with vast amounts of personal information to receive these services, PETs signal trustworthiness and create public confidence in an organisation.

PETs are also appealing because they enhance the quality of information and allow for the automatic enforcement of privacy regulation.

Traditionally, PETs were limited to software "pseudonymisation tools" allowing individuals to withhold their true identity from those operating electronic systems or providing services through them. These services reduce the amount of personal data collected and include anonymous web browsers, specialist e-mail systems and