Personally Identifiable Information (PII) refers to any data that can directly or indirectly identify individuals. Understanding the various types of PII and how they can be linked is crucial for companies managing personal data so they can protect personal information and stay in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Defining Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
Personally identifiable information (PII) refers to any data that can directly or indirectly identify individuals. This includes recognizable identifiers such as names, Social Security numbers, and email addresses; plus distinctive elements like thumbprints and phone numbers. PII is challenging to classify due to its ability to identify not only people but also computers and geographic locations. And different states and countries have defined PII differently in their individual data privacy and data breach response laws and regulations.
Direct Identifiers vs. Indirect Identifiers
Direct identifiers, such as full names or Social Security numbers, are pieces of information that can uniquely identify an individual on their own. Indirect identifiers, like age or occupation, may not be enough by themselves but could potentially lead to identification when combined with other data points.
The Concept of Linkable PII
Beyond direct and indirect identifiers lies a third category known as linkable PII. Linkable PII involves combining data from separate sources in order to establish an individual’s identity. For example, while neither a person’s zip code nor birthdate alone would typically be considered personally identifiable information – although definitions do vary by state regulation – when used together they might allow someone with access to both datasets to accurately determine who it pertains to.
- Name + Address: A combination often found in public records databases which can easily reveal one’s identity if linked correctly.
- Email address + Purchase History: An online retailer might have this type of linkable dataset where customer emails are associated with specific items they’ve bought, allowing for targeted marketing efforts based on preferences.
Understanding the various types of PII and how they can be linked is crucial for companies managing personal data. It helps companies ensure that they are in compliance with the various data privacy and breach response laws and regulations in the areas in which they operate or have customers. The potential repercussions of PII divulgence are tangible and can have serious effects for individuals, organizations, and businesses. For support with data privacy compliance or data breach response, contact Baer Reed.
Mr. Reyes graduated with honors from the Ateneo de Manila University, where he received the Procter and Gamble Student Excellence Award. He obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo de Manila School of Law. During law school, Mr. Reyes was part of the Philippine delegation to the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot held in Vienna, Austria. He was also a member of the Ateneo Society of International Law and the St. Thomas More Debate Society. He completed his internship at the Public Attorney’s Office. He wrote a thesis entitled: “To Kill A White Elephant: An Analysis of the Fiduciary Exception to the Corporate Attorney-Client Privilege”. Mr. Reyes is admitted to practice law in the Philippines and the State of New York.
Ms. Lardizabal-Manzano is a graduate of San Sebastian College-Recoletos, where she earned her B.A. in Political Science. In 2003, she received her law degree from Lyceum of the Philippines and was admitted to practice law in 2004.
Matthew Hersh earned a B.A. in Political Science from Columbia University in 1990 and graduated cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in 1999. He also holds a master’s degree in international relations from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.
Cap. Avi Levak (Res. IDF) graduated from from Israel’s prestigious Ben-Gurion University of the Negev with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics. He is also a Leadership and Communication coach trained in TuT coaching by Alon gal in Israel. Avi specializes in high-level, in-depth analysis of business and client needs, within systems and software strategy and architecture.
Ms. Tyler graduated cum laude from Georgetown University and received her law degree, cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center. During law school, she interned at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. She also worked on The Tax Lawyer journal and was a member of the award-winning Barristers’ Council Mock Trial Team. Ms. Tyler is admitted to practice law in the State of California and the District of Columbia.
Ms. Cruz-Anonuevo graduated cum laude and top nine in her batch from Miriam College with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in InternationalStudies. She obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Ateneo de Manila University School of Law in Rockwell. During law school, she interned in Rivera, Santos, Maranan & Associates. She was also part of Ateneo’s Labor Law Bar Operations. She wrote her thesis on, “Stealing Privacy: Limitations on Media’s Photographic Invasion.,” Ms. Cruz-Anonuevo is admitted to practice law in the Philippines.
Ms. Aquino-Batallones obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Development Studies (with Minors in Global Politics and Hispanic Studies) from the Ateneo de Manila University. In 2011, she received her Juris Doctor degree from Ateneo de Manila University School of Law. During law school, she interned at Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles then became an intern of Ateneo Legal Services Center’s Clinical Legal Education Program.
Mr. De Guzman graduated from San Beda College with a degree of Bachelor of Arts Major in Economics and received his law degree from San Beda College of Law. He is multilingual and is fluent in three languages: Chinese, Filipino, and English. He was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2003.