What is the primary goal of anonymization in data handling?

The primary goal of anonymization in data handling is to prevent the identification of individuals. Anonymization is a process that removes or alters personal data in such a way that individuals cannot be recognized, either directly or indirectly, by anyone who is using or analyzing the data. This is crucial for protecting privacy and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.

When data is effectively anonymized, it can be used for statistical, research, or analysis purposes without compromising the identities of the individuals involved. This allows organizations to benefit from data insights while safeguarding personal information, which is a fundamental principle in privacy management.

The other choices do not align with the core objective of anonymization. Retaining personal data for future use contradicts the very essence of anonymization, which seeks to eliminate personal identifiers. Increasing data accessibility for marketing or enhancing user profiling techniques indicates a focus on utilizing identifiable information rather than ensuring privacy, which again is contrary to the purpose of anonymization.