Table 1 A summary table comparing some of the different tools available that allow users to geographically mask their data, or make use of geographic masks to achieve their desired purpose

MaskMyPy

Geographic masking

Donut masking, voronoi masking, location swapping, and street masking

Python

Multiple masks, privacy metrics, and information loss metrics. Atlas feature streamlines evaluation and easily accepts custom masks

Requires users to know Python

MaskMy.XYZ [9]

Geographic masking

Donut masking

Web application

Easy to use, no installation required, includes basic privacy and information loss metrics

Cannot handle large amounts of data, single mask is relatively basic

GeoPriv [24]

Geographic masking

Spatial clustering, NrandK, Laplacian noise

QGIS

Works directly within QGIS as a plugin, includes multiple masks and an information loss metric, convenient data preview

Only one information loss metric, included masks don’t allow inclusion of geographic context (e.g. address data)

Privy.To [25]

Private location sharing

Donut masking, circle masking, political region masking

Web application

Enables users to securely share their individual location, with a range of obfuscation options

Not applicable, not intended as a geographic masking tool

MapSafe [26]

Data sovereignty

Donut masking

Web application

Enables users to notarize their spatial data on a public blockchain, no installation required, supports multiple trust levels

Not applicable, not intended as a geographic masking tool