Personal Identifiers (PID) are a subset of personally identifiable information (PII) data elements, which identify an individual and can permit another person to "assume" that individual's identity without their knowledge or consent.[1] PIIs include direct identifiers (name, social security number) and indirect identifiers (race, ethnicity, age).[2]

Identifiers can be sensitive and non-sensitive, depending on whether it is a direct identifier that is uniquely associated with a person or a quasi-identifier that is not unique. A quasi-identifier cannot pin down an individual alone - it has to be combined with other identifiers.[3][4]

Examples of PID

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Privately issued ID credentials

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  • Benefit plan participation number
  • Private health care authorization, access, or identification number

Transactional financial account numbers

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Biometric identifiers

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Health or medical information

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  • National Health certificate number

Electronic identification credentials

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Full Date of Birth

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  • Month, day and year

European-defined sensitive data

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Treated as PID globally, not just for citizens of the EU

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Guide to Identifying Personally Identifiable Information (PII)". www.technology.pitt.edu. 2017-02-14. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
  2. ^ "What Is Personally Identifiable Information?". www.cdc.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  3. ^ University, Utah State. "Sensitive Data | Research Data Management". library.usu.edu. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  4. ^ "Personally Identifiable Information (PII)". Investopedia. Retrieved 2022-09-07.