--- title: Anonymizing and Deleting Candidates slug: anonymizing-and-deleting-candidates docTags: Q905jnJca67f6SGq3OCW5,czhpvQugEsoqhh-gRkpFc createdAt: 2025-07-10T11:57:32.686Z --- *** In Ashby, you can delete candidates or anonymize them to remove data from your account. Both options are available in the `More` menu in a candidate's profile. :::hint{type="warning"} Before deleting or anonymizing a candidate, confirm they are not being actively considered for any jobs. If they are still being considered for a role, archive all their job considerations first. ::: # Permissions & access The following access roles can delete and anonymize candidates in Ashby. | Access role | Can delete/anonymize a candidate? | | -------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------- | | Limited Access | ❌ | | Agency Users | ❌ | | Elevated Access - External Recruiter (not linked to an agency) | ❌ | | Elevated Access - Analyst | ❌ | | Elevated Access - Hiring Team Member | ❌ | | Elevated Access - Hiring Manager | ✅ | | Elevated Access - Admin | ✅ | | Elevated Access - Admin (Private) | ✅ | | Organization Admin | ✅ | # Overview You can find both options in the `More` section of a candidate's profile. ![Screenshot showing the More menu on a candidate profile in Ashby](https://cdn.zappy.app/053ba6113a092322c077f483c3c1c7db.png) # Anonymizing candidates To anonymize a candidate, click `More` on the candidate profile, then `Anonymize`. ::loom{url="https://www.loom.com/embed/4524c91c08cf442dae0e9e7fb94ccf8c"} When you anonymize a candidate, Ashby removes personally identifiable information (PII) from their profile, but the information can still be used for reporting (archive reasoning, stage reached, etc.). You cannot undo anonymization. After you anonymize a candidate, Ashby adds an activity to their profile with a timestamp of the date and time they were anonymized. ![Screenshot showing the anonymization activity entry on a candidate's profile feed](https://cdn.zappy.app/51e9f1db469d86fd852c699478425c09.png) # Deleting candidates To delete a candidate, click `More` on the candidate profile, then `Delete`. When you delete a candidate, Ashby treats it as a soft deletion. ::loom{url="https://www.loom.com/embed/a73a1727604a40b5b06f910f6e640c65"} You can restore candidates or fast-track a permanent deletion via the [Recently Deleted](https://app.ashbyhq.com/settings/restore-deletions) page found within each user's Personal Settings. If a candidate is not restored within 10 days, Ashby permanently deletes them. The Recently Deleted page lists the date of permanent deletion. ![Screenshot showing the Recently Deleted page with an arrow pointing to the Restore button.](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/4usjx6cc7OpQui_KqHvwP_ashby-2026-09-10-at-114450-am.jpg) # Bulk anonymizing and deleting candidates Ashby flags candidates who violate your data compliance rules, but it does not anonymize or delete them automatically. Use [Candidate Search](https://docs.ashbyhq.com/candidate-search) to find these candidates and take action on them in bulk. 1. Navigate to **Candidates > Search**. 2. Toggle on the **Advanced** filter and apply the `Candidate's Is In Violation of Data Compliance?` filter, then set it to `Yes`. ![Screenshot of Candidate Search with the Advanced filter panel open and the data compliance violation filter applied](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/v_TkCiK6DlFeIanhdY_4S_candidate-search-report-ashby-2026-09-10-at-112213-am.jpg) 3. Select all candidates in the results using the checkbox in the list header. 4. Click `More`. 5. Select `Anonymize` to remove PII from the selected profiles, or select `Delete` to delete the selected profiles. ![Screenshot showing the More menu in Candidate Search with the Anonymize and Delete options visible](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/44FTQQIeC4UydsZnO_Zpn_candidate-search-report-ashby-2026-09-10-at-112311-am.jpg) 6. Review the candidates and confirm the bulk action. If Ashby displays an additional confirmation prompt for a large action, enter the requested confirmation text and click `Perform`. :::hint{type="info"} Run this search periodically to catch candidates who newly reach your retention threshold. For more information about identifying candidates who are in violation of your data compliance rules, see [Reporting on Data Retention Rules, Violations of Rules and Consent Choice](docId\:d-2p7dAdxKo_J2HULe31-). ::: # FAQ ### Can I configure rules to help maintain compliance with data laws? Ashby has data privacy and compliance features that can assist with this. For guidance on these features, see [Data Privacy and Compliance: Configuration](docId:0xpIflEKfhKukBuFqKhi9). ### A candidate has multiple job considerations or applications on their profile for the same job. Can I delete an application on their profile? It's not possible to merge or delete job considerations on a candidate's profile. If the candidate should only be considered for the role once, archive the other job considerations you don't plan to move forward with. ### How does anonymizing a candidate work with the email events on the candidate's feed? Once a candidate is anonymized, a record of email events still shows on their feed, including the date and time the email was sent. However, the subject, body, and the candidate's email address are anonymized. ### Can I automate anonymizing or deleting candidates? No. Ashby flags candidates who are in violation of your data compliance rules, but it does not anonymize or delete them automatically. You can use [Candidate Search](https://app.ashbyhq.com/candidate-searches/new#filter=PQBZzn1i1_jTn3jQjOQq-ERojnVBwqUWHmq6ccNnDWrB-sOClJ70Fcywd69PrUb62xOWfnNW0_lH6hU4f4YNJJGjPNGuYUPrBRVVBSw4AIeDnV-pUqCba2_FqLGDu8AiG4eBFg7ifiAojnzJ4MWxJuG91J78OEoMxHfwYFadhmyWKaYTHRNmuJqgXW26) to find candidates where `Candidate's Is In Violation of Data Compliance?` equals `Yes`, then [anonymize or delete the results in bulk](https://docs.ashbyhq.com/anonymizing-and-deleting-candidates#bulk-anonymizing-and-deleting-candidates). ### Are AI Notetaker recordings, notes, and transcripts deleted when a candidate is deleted or anonymized? Yes, recordings, transcripts, and notes are all deleted when a candidate is anonymized or deleted.