Question

Which of the following, on its own, is explicitly considered to be personally identifying information?

1) Name
2) Date of Birth
3) Email Address
4) Phone Number

Answer 1

An email address is considered personally identifying information as it uniquely identifies an individual and can be traced back to specific online activities and identity.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the options provided, an email address is explicitly considered to be personally identifying information. Each individual has a unique email address, just like a unique set of fingerprints, which directly identifies a person and can be connected to their online activities and identity. Both businesses and government agencies recognize that even when data, such as metadata, are collected without content, it can often be traced back to specific individuals. An email address, similar to a phone number or a social security number, is a unique identifier that distinguishes one person from another on the internet and thus is a crucial piece of personal information.