What is personal information?

'Personal information' is defined by s. 12 of the Information Privacy Act to mean information or an opinion, including information or an opinion forming part of a database, whether true or not, and whether recorded in a material form or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be ascertained, from the information or opinion.

Examples include a person's name and address, telephone number, email address, signature, bank account details, date and place of birth, drivers licence number, financial records, criminal records, family arrangements, and physical characteristics such as height, eye colour, and tattoos.