Personal Information and Sensitive Personal Information

In the U.S., personal information and PII cover data that makes it possible to identify an individual (names, Social Security numbers, passport numbers) and information about an identified or identifiable individual (street address, phone, email). These definitions generally apply to both electronic and paper records.

Sensitive personal information is an important subset. In the U.S., Social Security numbers, financial information, driver's license numbers, and health information are commonly treated as sensitive and require additional safeguards. What counts as sensitive varies by jurisdiction and regulation.