Mask email IDs in MariaDB

Masking email IDs in MariaDB can be achieved using string manipulation functions. Below is an example of how to implement this:

CREATE FUNCTION MaskEmail(email VARCHAR(255)) RETURNS VARCHAR(255)

BEGIN

    DECLARE maskedEmail VARCHAR(255);

    DECLARE atIndex INT;

    SET atIndex = LOCATE('@', email);

    IF atIndex > 0 THEN

        SET maskedEmail = CONCAT(

            LEFT(email, 1),

            REPEAT('X', atIndex - 2),

            SUBSTRING(email, atIndex - 1)

        );

    ELSE

        SET maskedEmail = 'Invalid Email';

    END IF;

    RETURN maskedEmail;

END;

Usage:

SELECT MaskEmail('example@example.com') AS MaskedEmail;

This will output eXXXXX@XXXXXXXXX.com.

Here are few FAQs:-

1. Why should email IDs be masked in a database?

   - Email IDs are personal identifiers that, when exposed, can lead to privacy concerns or unauthorized access. Masking them helps protect user privacy and enhances data security.

2. Can the original email ID be retrieved from the masked version?

   - Ideally, the masking process should be irreversible to maintain data security. Therefore, the original email ID should not be retrievable from the masked version.

3. How can I ensure that masked email IDs are still usable for certain operations?

   - By retaining some part of the original email ID, such as the domain name, you can maintain the usability of the data for operations like communication or identification, while still protecting sensitive information.

4. Are there any legal requirements for masking email IDs?

   - Depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the data being handled, there may be legal requirements or industry standards mandating the protection of personally identifiable information (PII), which includes email IDs.

5. Can I customize the masking format for email IDs?

   - Yes, the provided function can be customized to accommodate different formatting preferences or variations in email ID structures. You can modify the function logic accordingly to meet your needs, ensuring that sensitive information is adequately protected.