Anonymizing Datasets
You should make the difference between the following concepts:


encryption = encoding information in such a way that only authorized parties can read it.
data anonymization = removing personally identifiable information from data sets, so that the people whom the data describe remain anonymous.
de-identification = preventing a person’s identity from being connected with information, while preserving identifying information which could only be re-linked by a trusted party in certain situations (unlike data anonymization which aims to be irreversible).


Your choice depends on your use case.