Compliance

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.

What it triggers

In Mississippi, under the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act, the collection, use, sharing, and retention of personal identifying information about minors is specifically restricted.source
Under the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act, the collection and sharing of personal identifying information from minors is restricted.

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.

Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act (Mississippi House Bill 1126, 2024)Definition 1 of 2

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.

Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online ActDefinition 2 of 2

Not to be confused with

Personal Data

Personal data relates to any identified or identifiable person, while personal identifying information under these definitions specifically concerns minors.

personal-related information

Personal-related information does not identify a person alone but can when combined with other data, whereas personal identifying information directly identifies or could identify a minor.

Questions and answers

What restrictions apply to personal identifying information of minors in Mississippi?

The Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act restricts the collection, use, sharing, and retention of personal identifying information about minors. It also limits collection and sharing from minors.

What counts as personal identifying information under the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act?

It includes any information linked or reasonably linkable to an identified or identifiable individual, or information that identifies, describes, or is reasonably linkable to a specific minor, such as name, contact details, precise location, date of birth, government identifiers, biometric data, or persistent unique identifiers.

Who enforces the rules on personal identifying information for minors in Mississippi?

The Mississippi Attorney General enforces the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act.