Personal Data
Any information that relates to an identified or identifiable natural person.
Full Definition
Personal Data is any information that relates to a natural person who can be identified — directly or indirectly — by reference to that data. GDPR provides an expansive definition that includes obvious identifiers (name, ID number, location data) as well as online identifiers (IP addresses, cookie IDs) and factors specific to an individual's physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity. India's DPDP Act defines personal data as 'any data about an individual who is identifiable by or in relation to such data'. The key question is always whether the data, alone or in combination, could identify a specific individual.
Related terms
Sensitive Personal Data
Categories of personal data that warrant heightened protection due to the elevated risk of harm if misused.
Data Subject
An identified or identifiable natural person whose personal data is being processed.
Anonymisation
The irreversible process of altering data so that individuals can no longer be identified, directly or indirectly.
Relevant regulations
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