> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.gowindmill.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Anonymity and privacy

> See what an anonymous pulse hides, what it still shows, and how minimum group sizes protect respondents.

An anonymous pulse removes names from answers, for every viewer. Owners, Admins, managers, Windy, and MCP all see the answers without names. To check a pulse's setting, open **Settings** and look at **Response anonymity**.

## What anonymity hides

* Names on answers in the **Responses** tab, **Insights**, and the CSV export. Each shows **Anonymous**.
* Answers on the employee profile **Pulse** tab. Anonymous responses never appear there.
* Filters on the **Responses** tab, except **Run**.
* Names in AI summaries. Windy summarizes anonymous responses without names.

## What anonymity doesn't hide

Participation is always named. Owners can see who responded and who didn't, in the **Insights** response cards, the **Runs** tab, and the **Participants** tab. Windy and MCP can report participation too.

Answers are still visible to everyone that [response sharing](/features/pulse-surveys/response-sharing) allows, without names.

<Warning>
  Anonymity removes names, not details. A very specific comment can still point to one person. Keep this in mind when you share results.
</Warning>

## Minimum group sizes

| Rule | Minimum |
| - | - |
| Choose **Anonymous** when you create a pulse | 3 participants |
| Show any results in **Insights** | 3 responses |
| Filter or compare a group | 3 responses in that group |

Below the minimum, Insights shows "Not enough responses yet". Groups below the minimum can't be selected and show "Requires at least 3 responses". Windy and MCP apply the same minimums.

## Features that are off for anonymous pulses

* **Live response streaming** isn't available. See [Live response streaming](/features/pulse-surveys/live-response-streaming).
* The **Nudge** button doesn't appear. [Automatic reminders](/features/pulse-surveys/reminders) still go out.
* Manager email reports aren't sent. See [Pulse notifications](/features/pulse-surveys/notifications).

## Anonymity is set at creation

You choose **Named** or **Anonymous** when you create a pulse. You can't change it later in **Settings**, and **Duplicate pulse** keeps the same setting.

To run the pulse with the other setting, create a new pulse and choose the setting you want. Then pause the old pulse so it doesn't send again.

## Withdrawing a response

Participants can select **Withdraw response** to remove their answers from the pulse and from Slack. Their answers stay saved as a private draft. Reports that were already emailed may still include the response.

## FAQs

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can Windy or MCP reveal who answered an anonymous pulse?">
    Windy and MCP can show who responded. They can't show who gave which answer.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I sent a pulse as named by mistake. Can I make it anonymous?">
    No. Create a new pulse, choose **Anonymous**, and pause the original. Tell participants which pulse to answer.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What's the minimum group size for anonymous results?">
    At least 3 participants to create the pulse, and at least 3 responses before a result or a group shows.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>