Persónuupplýsing

Persónuupplýsing translates to personal data or personal information in English. It refers to any information that can be directly or indirectly used to identify a natural person. This identification can occur through the information itself or when combined with other data held by the data controller.

Examples of persónuupplýsing include names, identification numbers, location data, online identifiers such as IP addresses, and factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity of a natural person. Sensitive personal data, such as information about racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, and data concerning health, sex life, or sexual orientation, is also a category of persónuupplýsing that often requires stricter processing conditions.

The processing of persónuupplýsing is governed by data protection laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union, which aim to protect individuals' fundamental rights and freedoms, particularly their right to the protection of personal data. These regulations typically require that personal data be processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently. They also mandate that data be collected for specified, explicit, and legitimate purposes, and not further processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes. Furthermore, data should be adequate, relevant, and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are processed.