Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

Personally identifiable information (PII) is any data that could potentially identify a specific individual. The definition of PII varies from one jurisdiction to another, but typically includes information such as an individual’s name, date of birth, Social Security number, driver’s license number, or financial information.

In the United States, the Privacy Act of 1974 defines PII as “any information about an individual that is maintained by an agency and can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity.” The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) goes a step further and defines PII as “any nonpublic information that is linked or linkable to a specific consumer.

”PII can be collected in a variety of ways, including through cookies placed on your computer when you visit a website, through forms you fill out online or offline, or through public records. Once collected, this information can be bought and sold without your knowledge or consent.

Most companies have policies and procedures in place to protect the PII they collect and maintain. However, data breaches are becoming more common, and PII is often the target. If your PII is compromised in a data breach, you could be at risk for identity theft or fraud. That’s why it’s important to understand what PII is and how you can protect yourself.