Final answer:
True, data that can be combined with other information to uniquely link to an individual is considered PII. This is vital to protect against identity theft, where wrongfully acquired PII is used for fraudulent activities. Organizations and governments must secure PII to ensure privacy and protect national security.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, information that can be combined with other information to uniquely identify or link to an individual is considered Personally Identifiable Information (PII). As such, entities that handle PII must ensure the privacy and security of this data to protect individuals from identity theft or what is sometimes referred to as 'True-name Fraud.'
This kind of fraud involves the illegal acquisition and use of a person's PII, such as a social security number, PIN, or password, by someone without the rightful owner's consent. The consequences can be dire, with thieves draining bank accounts or incurring large debts in the victim's name.
Given the rise of cybercrimes, businesses and organizations are obligated to implement stringent measures to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. Governments also have an interest in safeguarding PII, as it helps to protect national security. Hence, the handling of PII is subject to strict regulatory requirements designed to prevent the misuse of such critical data.