← Years 5–6 Data & Information

Personal data

Information that identifies you or can be linked to you, such as your name, birthday, address, photos or school. A favourite colour on its own is not personal data.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Data, Information and Privacy — Module 37, VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 34, VCE Data Analytics - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 80, VCE Data Analytics - U4O2 - Cyber Security: Data Security — Module 92, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Digital footprint and privacy — Module 1, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Data privacy and the Australian Privacy Principles — Module 1, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Acquiring and Validating Data — Module 45, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Privacy Principles and Digital Footprints — Module 2, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Data-Driven Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 111, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 4 — Digital Methods for Exchanging Data — Module 60, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 4 — Complex Digital Data Exchange Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 37, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Data Management — Module 89

Understanding Personal data in Years 5–6 Data & Information

What it does: A birthday is a detail about you that can be linked to you, so it counts as personal data. Many people like blue, so this fact alone does not identify you. It is not personal data. A home address shows where you live and can be linked to you. The number of days in a week is a general fact. True. A photo can show who you are, so it identifies you. Think carefully before sharing photos online. A favourite colour on its own is not personal data because it cannot point to you. It could become part of a profile with other details.

Common mistakes: Your name identifies you, so it is personal data. The line should be is_personal = True. A single = stores a value. To compare values in an if, use ==. It should be if personal == True:.

Class: _____________________ · Name: _____________________ · Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 31–56) and word search (Modules 21–56).

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Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning

Duo

Which one is personal data?

Your full name and birthdayThe fact that the sky is blue

Matches

address = "5 Wattle St" # safe to post, not personal

↓

A home address is personal data because it shows where you live. It should be kept private, not posted publicly.

Applying

Meanings

Term

personal data

Meaning

Information that identifies you or can be linked to you, such as your name, birthday, address, photos or school. A favourite colour on its own is not personal data.

Practice

Personal data:

Testing

Gaps

data identifies you or can be

Check Answer

Spots

1item = 'my name'

2is_personal = False

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Quick Questions

1. Which one is personal data?

A. Your full name and birthday ✓

B. The fact that the sky is blue

Your name and birthday identify you or can be linked to you, so they are personal data. Facts like the colour of the sky are not about you.

2. Which one is personal data?

A. Your home address ✓

B. The number of days in a week

A home address shows where you live and can be linked to you. The number of days in a week is a general fact.

3. A photo of your face is personal data.

A. False

B. True ✓

True. A photo can show who you are, so it identifies you. Think carefully before sharing photos online.

4. Which one could help someone work out who you are?

A. The name of your school and your class ✓

B. The name of a popular cartoon

Your school and class can be linked to you, so they are personal data. A cartoon name is not about you.

5. Is a favourite colour on its own personal data?

A. Yes, it always identifies you

B. No, many people share it and it does not identify you ✓

A favourite colour on its own is not personal data because it cannot point to you. It could become part of a profile with other details.

Match the Pairs

name = "Mia Chen" → Personal data, because a full name identifies a real person

school = "Bayview Primary" → Personal data, because it can be linked to where you go each day

A birthday is personal data because it can help identify you → birthday = "12 May 2013"

A favourite colour on its own is not personal data → favourite_colour = "blue"

address = "5 Wattle St" # safe to post, not personal → A home address is personal data because it shows where you live. It should be kept private, not posted publicly.

photo = "me_in_uniform.jpg" # not personal data → A photo of your face or school uniform is personal data because it can identify you and show your school.

Key Term

personal data

Information that identifies you or can be linked to you, such as your name, birthday, address, photos or school. A favourite colour on its own is not personal data.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Personal data identifies you or can be linked to you.

Hint: Type the word that describes data about one particular person, completing the key term.

2. Your name and birthday are personal data.

Hint: Type the word for what people call you, which goes with your birthday.

3. A home address is personal data.

Hint: Type the word for the place where you live.

4. A photo of your face is personal data.

Hint: Type the word for a picture taken with a camera.

5. A favourite colour on its own is not personal data.

Hint: Type the small word that makes the sentence say the opposite.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A item = 'my name'

B is_personal = False

C if is_personal:

D print('Keep it private')

Line B — Your name identifies you, so it is personal data. The line should be is_personal = True.

Question 2

A item = 'birthday'

B personal = True

C if personal = True:

D print('Do not share')

Line C — A single = stores a value. To compare values in an if, use ==. It should be if personal == True:.

Question 3

A info = 'favourite colour'

B is_personal = True

C print(is_personal)

Line B — A favourite colour on its own does not identify you, so it is not personal data. The line should be is_personal = False.

Question 4

A personal = ['name', 'photo']

B count = 0

C for item in personal:

D count = count - 1

E print(count)

Line D — To count the personal items, the program must add 1 each time round the loop. It should be count = count + 1.

Question 5

A def is_personal(item):

B known = ['name', 'photo']

C return item not in known

D print(is_personal('name'))

Line C — The function should return True when the item is in the list of personal data. Using not in gives the opposite answer. It should be return item in known.

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