Personal identifiable information (PII) refers to any data or information that can be used to identify, contact, or locate an individual. It includes various types of information that, when combined, can potentially reveal someone's identity. PII is considered sensitive and should be handled with care to protect an individual's privacy.
Examples of personal identifiable information include:
Full name: The combination of a person's first name and last name can uniquely identify them.
Social Security Number (SSN): A unique nine-digit number assigned by the government to identify individuals for taxation and social security purposes.
Date of Birth (DOB): The specific day, month, and year a person was born can help identify them.
Address: A residential or business address can provide location information about an individual.
Phone number: A person's contact number, whether mobile or landline, is considered personal information.
Email address: An individual's unique email address can be used to identify and contact them.
Financial information: Bank account numbers, credit card details, and financial transaction history are all examples of PII.
National identification numbers: These can include driver's license numbers, passport numbers, or any government-issued identification numbers.
Biometric data: Fingerprint scans, facial recognition data, or iris scans that uniquely identify an individual.
Health information: Any data related to an individual's medical or health condition, including medical records, prescriptions, or insurance information.
Username and passwords: Login credentials used to access various online platforms and services.
It is crucial to handle PII responsibly and implement appropriate security measures to protect against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of this sensitive information. Organizations and individuals should be aware of privacy laws and regulations to ensure compliance and maintain the privacy and security of personal identifiable information.