🔹 Definition
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) refers to any data that can be used to identify, contact, or locate a specific individual, either directly or when combined with other information. This includes obvious identifiers like names and ID numbers, as well as less direct data like IP addresses or device IDs when linked to a person.
PII is a core concept in data privacy and cybersecurity, and its protection is a legal requirement under regulations such as GDPR (EU), PDPA (Singapore), CCPA (California), and others.
🔹 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What are examples of PII?
- Direct identifiers:
- Full name
- National ID or passport number
- Email address
- Phone number
- Home or mailing address
- Indirect or sensitive identifiers (when linked with identity):
- IP address or device ID
- Geolocation data
- Biometric information (e.g., fingerprint, facial scan)
- Financial or health records
Q2: Why is protecting PII important?
- Prevents identity theft, fraud, and financial loss
- Maintains customer trust and regulatory compliance
- Helps avoid data breaches, reputational damage, and legal penalties
- Required by data protection laws across most jurisdictions
Q3: What are the legal frameworks that govern PII protection?
- GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) – EU
- PDPA (Personal Data Protection Act) – Singapore
- CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) – U.S.
- HIPAA – for health-related data in the U.S.
- Various AML/CFT laws also require PII collection and secure storage as part of KYC
Q4: What security measures help protect PII?
- Data encryption at rest and in transit
- Access controls and user permission management
- Anonymization and pseudonymization where possible
- Regular audits and incident response plans
- Employee training on data handling and phishing prevention
Q5: What is the difference between PII and sensitive personal data?
- PII includes any data that identifies a person
- Sensitive personal data is a subset of PII that includes information about race, religion, health, sexual orientation, political beliefs, or biometric/genetic data—subject to stricter handling and explicit consent requirements
