Which of the below is not an example of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) : 1. Birthdate 2. The name of your high school 3. Social security number 4. Name
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: 2. The name of your high school
Explanation
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) refers to any data that can be used to identify a specific individual, either on its own or when combined with other information. PII is crucial to protect because its exposure can lead to identity theft, fraud, and other forms of misuse.
Let’s examine the options provided:
- Birthdate – This is considered PII because, although it may not uniquely identify a person by itself, when combined with other data such as name or location, it can significantly narrow down or confirm someone’s identity.
- The name of your high school – This is not considered PII. While it may give hints about a person’s background or geographic location, it cannot directly identify an individual. Many people may attend the same high school, and this information is not unique enough to point to one specific person. Therefore, this is the correct answer to the question.
- Social Security Number (SSN) – This is one of the most sensitive types of PII. It is a unique identifier issued to individuals and is widely used in financial, medical, and government systems. Exposure of an SSN can lead to serious consequences like identity theft and fraud.
- Name – While a name alone may not always uniquely identify someone (especially common names), it is still classified as PII because it is a direct identifier and is often combined with other data to identify a person more precisely.
In summary, the name of your high school is the only option that does not fall under the standard definitions of PII. It does not uniquely identify an individual, nor does it directly link to personal identity in a secure or confidential context.