What is Personal Information? Definition & Examples (2024)

FAQs

What is personal information and examples? ›

What is personal information will vary, depending on whether a person can be identified or is reasonably identifiable in the circ*mstances. For example, personal information may include: an individual's name, signature, address, phone number or date of birth. sensitive information.

"'Personal information' means information that identifies, relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with a particular consumer or household."

Personal data may, for example, include information on name, address, e-mail address, personal identification number, registration number, photo, fingerprints, diagnostics, biological material, when it is possible to identify a person from the data or in combination with other data.

For example, when you conduct an intake interview, receive a report from a concerned teacher about a child who may be in need of protection, or ask a parent to fill out a needs assessment form, you are collecting personal information. Collection of personal information can be either direct or indirect.

Here are some of the most common questions used when asking for personal information: What's your name? Where are you from? What's your surname/family name?

Personal Information: Your age, gender, how many brothers and sisters you have, your favorite band, your favorite food, the name of your pet. Private Information: Full name, street address, email address, your date of birth, phone numbers, credit card information, mother's maiden name, name of school.

Broadly, the term refers to information that can be used to identify, locate, or contact an individual, alone or when combined with other personal or identifying information. Examples of personal information include an individual's: Name. Home or other physical address. Email address.

What is not considered personal information under the CCPA? Personal information does not include publicly available information that is from federal, state, or local government records, such as professional licenses and public real estate/property records.

Generally, information that is only about a business is not considered to be 'personal information'. This is because the Privacy Act defines an 'individual' as a 'natural person', and the ordinary meaning of a 'natural person' does not include a body politic or corporate entity (including a company).

Pay particular attention to how you keep personally identifying information: Social Security numbers, credit card or financial information, and other sensitive data. That's what thieves use most often to commit fraud or identity theft.

What type of data is personal information? ›

Personal data is any information that relates to an identified or identifiable living individual. Different pieces of information, which collected together can lead to the identification of a particular person, also constitute personal data.

Doxing (sometimes written as Doxxing) is the act of revealing identifying information about someone online, such as their real name, home address, workplace, phone, financial, and other personal information. That information is then circulated to the public — without the victim's permission.

This information is the gateway to your financial institutions, medical records, credit score and other important personal records. With such high stakes if this information is ever compromised, a toolkit of tips on how to keep this information secure and protect you from identity theft is invaluable.