Question

When linked to a specific individual, which of the following is not an example of personally identifiable information?

1) Name
2) Social Security Number
3) Date of Birth
4) Favorite Color

Answer 1

The option that is not an example of personally identifiable information when linked to a specific individual is favorite color, as it cannot be used to identify, contact, or locate a single person.

Step-by-step explanation:

When linked to a specific individual, the option that is not an example of personally identifiable information (PII) is 4) Favorite Color. PII includes information that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context. Options like 1) Name, 2) Social Security Number, and 3) Date of Birth can be used for this purpose. However, someone's favorite color is generally not considered PII because it cannot be used to identify a specific individual among a population, particularly since many people may share the same favorite color. PII is crucial in data privacy and protection, specifically aiming to prevent the unauthorized access of information that can identify an individual.