Anonymity , Unlinkability , Unobservability , Pseudonymity , and Identity Management – A Consolidated Proposal for Terminology

Based on the nomenclature of the early papers in the field, we propose a terminology which is both expressive and precise. More particularly, we define anonymity, unlinkability, unobservability, pseudonymity (pseudonyms and digital pseudonyms, and their attributes), and identity management. In addition, we describe the relationships between these terms, give a rational why we define them as we do, and sketch the main mechanisms to provide for the properties defined.

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