PDM

Frequently asked questions

What file formats do you support?

CSV files, up to 100MB. If your data lives in Excel or another format, export it to CSV first.

How large a file can PDM handle in one pass?

It depends less on file size and more on what kind of data is in it. Structured columns (email, phone, SSN, ID numbers) are quick to scan. Free-text columns (notes, comments, transcripts) take much longer per row, since we read the whole sentence rather than just checking a format.

The more of your file is free-form text rather than structured fields, the lower the row count we can process in one pass.

Your file looks like...Rows we can process in one pass
Structured fields only, up to 10 columnsup to 60,000
Structured fields only, up to 25 columnsup to 23,000
Structured fields only, up to 50 columnsup to 12,000
Typical business file — ~12 structured columns + 1 notes/comments columnup to 16,000
Same, with 2 free-text columnsup to 10,000
Same, with 3 free-text columnsup to 8,000
Mostly free text (call transcripts, case notes) — 1 columnup to 15,000
Mostly free text — 3 columnsup to 7,500
Mostly free text — 5 columnsup to 5,000

These are general guidelines, not exact cutoffs — actual capacity depends on your specific data. This counts every column in your file, whether or not it turns out to contain sensitive data — we scan everything to confirm nothing was missed, rather than guessing which columns need a closer look. Most files within these ranges finish in well under five minutes. If your file is larger, split it into smaller batches and submit each separately — we'll tell you before you pay if a file is too large or complex to process in one pass.

What happens if my file has no sensitive data at all?

We tell you. PDM scans every row and column regardless — if nothing sensitive is found, you'll see a clear confirmation that a complete scan ran and turned up nothing, not just a blank result.

Do you connect directly to my database?

No. PDM works with files you upload, not live database connections. Full-file masking means pulling your entire dataset — direct database access would mean granting a third party broad read access to your live infrastructure, which is a bigger ask than it's worth. Export to CSV and upload it instead.

My company's policy blocks uploads to external services. What do I do?

Request an exception and point whoever reviews it to our /trust page — it's built specifically to make that review fast.

I need to mask new data regularly, not just once. What are my options?

That's exactly what our Enterprise tier is being built for — scheduled, recurring masking with subscription billing instead of per-file charges. It's in early access. Contact us to learn more.

What if PDM misses something?

PDM scans every row and column using Google Cloud DLP + proprietary deterministic algorithms — but no automated system can guarantee catching every possible format of sensitive data. Review your masked file before relying on it for anything where a missed value would matter. Full details are in our Terms of Service.

Can I get a refund?

Refunds are considered case by case. If something went wrong on our end, contact us and we'll make it right.

Do you handle PHI (health data)?

Not yet. PDM automatically detects likely health data and declines to process it rather than risk mishandling it — we don't have the compliance framework in place for PHI today. If you need this, contact us; we're building toward it.

Is my payment information safe?

Yes. Payments are processed entirely by Stripe. We never see or store your card details.

Can I download my masked file more than once?

No — the download link is single-use. Your file and every intermediate copy are destroyed the moment your masked file is delivered — or automatically within 48 hours if you never download it. If you need the masked file again, you'll need to re-upload your original file and run it through PDM again. We don't retain a copy on our end to recover.

Do I need an account?

No. Upload a file, get a price, pay, and download your masked file directly from the job page — no account, no email address, no personal information required at any point.

Ready to mask your data?

Upload a file, get an upfront price, pay only if you proceed.

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