Ethics hotline report redaction is the removal of personal data from a tip intake, guided by UK GDPR Recital 26. That recital, with the DPA 2018, sets when data is truly anonymous and outside the rules. anonym.plus marks names and contacts on your device, so the concern stays clear while the reporter is shielded.
When this applies
A hotline submission names the reporter, the accused, and a department. You strip those identifiers before the matter is reviewed or shared.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Open the report in anonym.plus on your device.
- The app marks the reporter and the accused.
- Built-in OCR reads a scanned hotline intake.
- Turn the alias map OFF for true anonymity.
- Swap or black out the confirmed identifiers.
- Save the clean copy locally.
What you need to provide
- The intake form (PDF, DOCX, or scan).
- An operator (Redact suits a sensitive report).
- Alias map turned OFF for true anonymisation.
PII entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Names | PERSON | the reporter → [REPORTER] |
| Names | PERSON | the accused → [RESPONDENT] |
| Contact | EMAIL_ADDRESS | tip@example.co.uk → [EMAIL] |
| Contact | PHONE_NUMBER | +44 20 7946 1180 → [PHONE] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | logged 1 June → [DATE] |
| Location | LOCATION | the finance team → [LOCATION] |
Compliance achieved
- Targets true anonymisation per UK GDPR Recital 26 with the DPA 2018.
- Turn off the reversible map so no key can re-link the tip.
- Offline work keeps the report off any server.
Anonymise ethics hotline reports offline — see plans & start free →
Limitations & cautions
Keeping a reporter anonymous is hard. A unique event in the account can point to the person who saw it, even with names gone. Review the text, and keep the alias map off so no key links back to them.
Frequently asked questions
Can the tool hide who reported the concern?
It removes names and contacts. A unique detail can still identify the reporter, so check the text. Turn the alias map off so no key links back.
How do I reach true anonymity here?
Turn the reversible map OFF and use Redact. Then verify no unique fact singles out a person, as Recital 26 requires.
Is the submission uploaded?
No. The app is offline, so the report and the reporter's data stay on your machine.