Private data, often referred to as personal data or personally identifiable information (PII), is any information related to an identified or identifiable natural person. This includes data that can directly or indirectly identify an individual, such as names, social security numbers, birth dates, addresses, phone numbers, IP addresses, biometric data, and other sensitive information like health records or financial details
. Private data differs from public data in that it is not freely available or accessible to the public and must be protected due to legal and privacy concerns. Unauthorized access or possession of private data can lead to legal breaches. Its availability is restricted to ensure privacy and security, unlike public data which is openly accessible and can be used without explicit consent
. Under regulations like the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), private data includes any information that relates to an identified or identifiable person, encompassing a broad range of identifiers and characteristics, including physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity
. Even data that has been pseudonymized or encrypted but can still be used to re-identify a person remains classified as personal data
. In summary, private data is sensitive information about individuals that requires protection to prevent misuse, identity theft, or privacy violations, governed by data protection laws to ensure responsible handling and security
