What does "personal data" mean in the context of data protection?

The term "personal data" in the context of data protection refers specifically to information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual. This means any data that can be connected back to a person, either directly or indirectly, through attributes such as name, identification number, location data, or other identifiers. Recognizing this definition is crucial because it reflects the intent of data protection laws, which aim to safeguard the privacy and rights of individuals by regulating how such data can be collected, used, and shared.

In contrast, data stored only on local devices does not inherently make it personal unless it pertains to identifiable individuals. General information available in the public domain, such as publicly posted content, typically does not qualify as personal data because it is not tied to any individual in a manner that could compromise privacy. Metadata, while providing context about digital files, does not typically identify individuals on its own, unless it contains specific details linked to a person. Therefore, understanding personal data as information about identifiable individuals is foundational for compliance with data protection regulations.