What constitutes personal data under data protection laws?

Personal data under data protection laws refers to any information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual. This means that if the data can be linked back to a specific person—either directly or indirectly—it falls under the definitions set by laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union or other similar legislation globally.

The essence of the definition lies in the ability to identify an individual, which can include a wide range of data points, such as names, identification numbers, location data, or any other features that can lead to identifying a person. This is crucial for ensuring individuals' privacy rights and forms a basis for many data protection regulations designed to protect personal information from misuse.

Understanding this definition helps in recognizing the importance of safeguarding personal data, as it emphasizes that even seemingly innocuous information can be classified as personal data if it can be connected to a specific individual. This consideration shapes how organizations handle, protect, and process data, ensuring compliance with data protection laws.