Which items are considered valid Personally Identifiable Information (PII) for identifying a person?

The identification of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is crucial for respecting privacy and adhering to data protection regulations. Valid PII includes any information that can be used to identify an individual, whether directly or indirectly.

The choice that includes a passport number, email address, and bank account number is particularly pertinent because each of these items uniquely identifies an individual or is uniquely associated with them.

A passport number is a unique identifier issued by a government that can precisely pinpoint an individual. An email address not only serves as a means of communication but can also be linked or traced back to a specific person, particularly when it’s used for personal accounts or services. Similarly, a bank account number is associated uniquely with an individual, allowing financial institutions to manage and identify accounts accurately.

In contrast, other options include items that may not, by themselves, serve as definitive identifiers. For instance, while a job title or employee ID could link to an individual within a specific organization, they may not uniquely identify a person in the broader context as they can often be shared among multiple individuals in a workplace.