The purpose of data masking in privacy protection is to obscure sensitive information, making it unreadable to unauthorized users while retaining its usability for legitimate purposes. This technique is crucial for organizations handling personal data, as it helps comply with regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA. By substituting original data with fictional but realistic values, organizations can conduct data analysis and development work without exposing sensitive information. Effective data masking minimizes the risk of data breaches, protecting individuals’ privacy and safeguarding organizational reputation.