Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and personal data are two terms that are often used interchangeably but aren’t the same. PII is information that can be used to identify an individual. Personal data isn’t always sensitive, but the following points will help you understand the difference. A person’s name or a combination of a person’s name with context (such as a list of people with HIV) may be considered PII. A name alone does not constitute PII, but the combination of this information and other information may expose a person to harm.
PII is information that can be used to identify an individual.
PII is defined as information about an individual that can be used to trace their identity. PII includes information such as full name, if it is not common, address, email, telephone number, driver’s license number, fingerprints or handwriting, and even a person’s login name or password. Personally identifiable information (PII) is sensitive information and should be protected as possible.
PII can be classified as any information used to identify an individual. This information is stored in various databases, including electronic mail and social media profiles. This information can perform various tasks, such as contacting an individual or determining their location. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines PII as “information that can be used to identify an individual.”
Personal data is information that can be used to identify an individual.
As the term suggests, personal data refers to information that can be used to identify a person. The Privacy Act 1988 also defines personal data. For example, a person’s name, date of birth, and address are all examples of personal data. Such information may be collected and stored by any organization, whether big or small ranging from a name and contact details to DNA and fingerprints. The increasing commercial worth of such information makes it increasingly in demand. Personal data includes phone numbers, credit card numbers, personnel numbers, address details, and appearance.
The GDPR is a framework for securing personal data and is intended to provide a framework for securing and protecting it. A global privacy regulation defines personal data, including the types of information permissible to store and use.
PII is linked to personal data.
While privacy laws in many countries use the term “PII,” Australian legislation does not. While it may not be as widely used in the United States, European data protection laws use “personal data” and “personally identifiable information.” In the U.S., PII includes information that can be logically linked to an individual. Non-PII, on the other hand, does not identify an individual.
PII can be direct or indirect and include full name, social security number, birth date, passport number, or phone number. Other sensitive data may also fall under this category, such as medical records or biometric information. In addition, some PII is publicly available, such as first and last name, home and work telephone numbers, or general educational credentials. These pieces of information are not anchored to one category of information and are therefore more sensitive than others.
PII is not sensitive data
What is PII? Non-sensitive PII refers to information not linked to sensitive or protected PII. Common examples of non-sensitive PII include first and last names, email addresses, business addresses, gender, race, and general educational credentials. This information does not require encryption or other special security measures. This data is widely available. Whether your PII is sensitive or not depends on your situation.
Non-personal data, on the other hand, is not classified as PII. This data is generally anonymous, shared, or shared. A breach of PII can be a serious offense resulting in legal liability and decreased enterprise value, even the closure of your business. Therefore, regardless of the nature of the data, ensuring PII protection should be a top priority for businesses and individuals.
PII is not subject to the same privacy laws as personal data
PII is information that re-identifies an individual but is anonymous on its own. In some states, such as California, this information is classified as PII, although it may be vague compared to the GDPR’s definition of personal data. Some definitions of PII, for example, exclude cookies and IP addresses. PII may be an alias or account name in other states. The GDPR defines PII as any information that can be used to identify a live or deceased person.
PII can be either direct or indirect. Direct identifiers enable a person to be identified without any other information, while indirect identifiers are linked with other information about the individual. Examples of indirect identifiers include a street address without a city, social security number, or birth date. PII is subject to laws regulating consumer protection from deceptive and unfair trade practices. These laws protect PII, including those governing health care and other sensitive personal data.
