Data Science · Beginner level

Beginner level · Module 5: Data Privacy and Ethics in Analysis · Lesson 1 of 3

Personal Data and Identifiers

Recognise data that can identify people, directly or by combination, and why it must be protected.

In this lesson you will

  • Distinguish direct and indirect identifiers
  • Identify sensitive categories of data

Key concepts

personal datadirect identifierindirect identifiersensitive data

The lesson

Personal data is any information about an identifiable person. Direct identifiers — names, phone numbers, ID numbers, GPS points of homes — identify someone on their own.

Indirect identifiers such as age, village, occupation or household size can identify someone when combined, especially in small communities.

Some data is especially sensitive — health, ethnicity, religion, displacement status — and its exposure can cause serious harm, including discrimination or danger.

Step by step

  1. List the identifiers in the water survey.
  2. Classify them as direct or indirect.
  3. Find a combination that identifies a unique household.
  4. Mark sensitive variables.

Practice activity

Produce an identifier inventory for the water survey.

Expected result: A complete list of direct and indirect identifiers and sensitive variables.

Check your understanding

  1. Is a GPS point of a home a direct identifier?

    Show answer

    Yes.

  2. How can indirect identifiers identify someone?

    Show answer

    By combining several characteristics that together are unique.

Taught live by an instructor — online or in person. Free course lessons are for self-study and do not lead to a certificate — see registration options.