Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) Practice Exam

Which of the following is also considered personally identifiable when linked to other PII provided by you online?

1. Cookies tracking personal user preferences

2. Identification number

3. Physical address

4. Social identity factors

The correct answer is: Cookies tracking personal user preferences

When considering the options provided, cookies that track personal user preferences are indeed classified as personally identifiable information (PII) when they can be linked to other PII. Cookies can store information about user activity, preferences, and behaviors on websites. When this information is combined with additional PII, such as a name, email address, or identification number, it can lead to the identification of specific individuals, creating a more comprehensive profile. Cookies serve this dual purpose: while they can enhance user experience by remembering preferences, they also pose privacy concerns if the data they collect can be tied back to an individual when merged with other data points. This linkage capability is what elevates their classification to that of personal identifiable data. In contrast, an identification number, physical address, or social identity factors can also be considered PII individually, but the nuances of data linkage and tracking through cookies specifically highlight the broader context of how digital information can accumulate and identify users more distinctly in an online environment.