Hashed Data Still Vulnerable to Reversal

Experts are warning that hashed personal data, like phone numbers, can still be reversed at scale.

Hashed data is often shared across industries as a security measure, but it doesn't make the data truly anonymous.

Phone numbers are especially vulnerable because they follow predictable patterns.

Even with additional safeguards like salting, hashed data can be re-identified if the structure of the data is known.

Regulators consider hashed identifiers as pseudonymised data, not anonymised, meaning organisations can still be held liable if the data is re-identified.

Experts recommend reducing the collection and use of phone numbers to minimise risk.