The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy, which also applies in the European Economic Area (EEA). The GDPR defines personal data as any information that relates to an identified or identifiable natural person.
What Qualifies as Personal Data under the GDPR?
Personal data under the GDPR can take many forms, including:
- Names, addresses, and contact information such as email addresses and telephone numbers.
- Financial information, such as bank account numbers or credit card information.
- Identifiers such as passport numbers, national identity numbers, or driver’s license numbers.
- IP addresses, which, especially when combined with other information, can be used to identify a person or profile their online activity.
- Biometric data, such as fingerprints or facial recognition data, and genetic data, such as DNA information.
- Web analytics data, such as information about an individual’s browsing habits and search history.
- Health information, such as medical history, treatment records, and prescription information.
It is important to note that personal data under the GDPR does not include anonymous data, meaning data from which no one can reasonably be identified (aggregating data does not by itself make it anonymous). However, pseudonymized data, where the identity of an individual can be re-ascertained through additional information, is generally still personal data.
Why is Personal Data Protected under the GDPR?
Personal data is protected under the GDPR because the protection of personal data is a fundamental right in the EU. The GDPR was designed to give individuals more control over their personal data and how it is used. The regulation sets out rules for the collection, storage, and processing of personal data, and it requires that organizations have a lawful basis for collecting and processing personal data. Consent is one of six lawful bases; others include performing a contract, meeting a legal obligation, and legitimate interests.
Organizations that process personal data must ensure that they do so in a manner that is lawful, fair, and transparent, and that they take steps to protect the security and privacy of the data.
Conclusion
Personal data under the GDPR includes any information that relates to an identified or identifiable natural person. This includes a wide range of information, including names, addresses, financial information, biometric data, and health information. Personal data is protected under the GDPR because the protection of personal data is a fundamental right in the EU, and the regulation sets out rules for the collection, storage, and processing of this data to ensure that it is handled in a manner that is lawful, fair, and transparent.