Personal identifying information
Data that identifies or could identify a minor.
How the laws define this
Both formulations from the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act agree that the term covers information linked or reasonably linkable to an individual, and that processing this data regarding minors—specifically its collection and sharing—is restricted under the legislation. Where they diverge is in how broadly they define the target subject and what specific data types they enumerate. Under the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act (Mississippi House Bill 1126, 2024), the concept is focused specifically on a minor and includes an explicit list of examples, such as names, contact details, precise location, dates of birth, government identifiers, biometric data, and persistent unique tracking identifiers. In contrast, the broader Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act text defines the subject as any identified or identifiable individual, explicitly encompasses sensitive information, and adds restrictions on use and retention, without setting out a specific list of identifying data categories.
Synthesised from the 2 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.
Definitions (2)
Information that identifies, describes, or is reasonably linkable to a specific minor, including but not limited to name, contact details, precise location, date of birth, government identifiers, biometric data, or persistent unique identifiers used for tracking; collection and sharing of such information from minors is restricted under the Act.
Any information, including sensitive information, that is linked or reasonably linkable to an identified or identifiable individual; the collection, use, sharing, and retention of such information about minors is specifically restricted by the Act.
Related Terms
Personal Data
Information relating to an identified or identifiable person....
Specific Personal Data
Sensitive categories of personal data requiring heightened protection....
personal-related information
Information not identifying a person alone but identifying when combined with other data....
Child user
A user classified as a child under the Act....
Parental consent
Authorized approval from a minor's parent or guardian....