Kernel density smoothing as a means for the construction of anonymized regional maps

Ulrich Rendtel and Lorena Gril

No 2025/6, Discussion Papers from Free University Berlin, School of Business & Economics

Abstract: The smearing effect of kernel estimates of the local density, local proportions and local means is used as a means for the construction of anonymized maps. The standard anonymization criteria were derived for the display of case numbers of a predefined area system. However, for kernel estimates there does not exist such a defined area system. We discuss the resulting difficulties of the application of these criteria for kernel estimates. Besides, there are some de-anonymization risks which are specific for kernel estimates. We discuss these topics for data from 1.9 million Berlin taxpayers with known exact address and taxable income. In the conclusions we vote for a much stronger emphasis on the output format of a map and the labelling of the displayed values in the map.

Keywords: Regional maps; Kernel density estimation; Anonymity; Choropleth maps; Taxpayers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:fubsbe:323243

DOI: 10.17169/refubium-48093

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