# Geo This generator can be used to mask columns of latitude and longitude. The Geo generator divides the globe into grids that are approximately 4.9 x 4.9 km. It then counts the number of points within each grid. During data generation, each (latitude, longitude) pair is mapped to its grid. * If the grid contains a sufficient number of points to preserve privacy, then the generator returns a randomly chosen point in that grid. * If the grid does not contain enough points to preserve privacy, then the generator returns a random coordinate from the nearest grid that contains enough points. ## Characteristics


Consistency	No, cannot be made consistent.
Linking	Yes, can be linked.
Differential privacy	No
Data-free	No
Allowed for primary keys	No
Allowed for unique columns	Yes
Uses format-preserving encryption (FPE)	No
Privacy ranking	3
Generator ID (for the API)	`GeoGenerator`

## How to configure To configure the generator: 1. From the **Link To** dropdown list, select the column to link to this one.\ \ You typically assign the Geo generator to both the latitude and longitude column, then link those columns. 2. From the value type dropdown, select whether this column contains a latitude value or a longitude value. 3. If [Structural data encryption](https://docs.tonic.ai/app/generation/generators-assign-config/generators-data-encryption-config) is enabled, then to use it for this column, in the advanced options section, toggle **Use data encryption process** to the on position. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.tonic.ai/app/generation/generators/generator-reference/geo.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.