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Jargon Explained

We want everyone to engage positively and constructively with data protection rights and responsibilities. To do that, we try and present information and guidance in a relevant and accessible way. Although it is sometimes necessary to use legal terminology, we will use plain English wherever we can. Data protection is for all of us, not just for lawyers.
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I

Identifiable individual

An individual is identifiable from any information where the individual can be directly or indirectly identified from the information, including –

  • by reference to a name or an identifier
  • by reference to one or more factors specific to the person’s physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity,
  • where, despite pseudonymisation, that information is capable of being attributed to that individual by the use of additional information, or
  • by any other means reasonably likely to be used, taking into account objective factors such as technological factors and the cost and amount of time required for identification in the light of the available technology at the time of processing.

Identifier

A number or code that is assigned to an individual by a controller or processor and that uniquely identifies that individual. It includes location data and number or code issued to an individual by a public authority but excludes an individual’s name.