What type of information should Personal Identifiable Information (PII) be used for?

Personal Identifiable Information (PII) is sensitive data that can be used to identify an individual, such as their name, social security number, or financial information. The proper use of PII is crucial for maintaining privacy and security. When PII is used for official business purposes, it typically involves processing or handling information in ways that are compliant with legal regulations and organizational policies aimed at protecting individual privacy.

Using PII for official business typically includes activities such as employee records management, customer interactions, compliance with legal requirements, and other legitimate professional functions. This ensures that any handling of personal data is accountable and serves a clear, appropriate purpose aligned with privacy protection standards.

By contrast, the other options present scenarios where the use of PII may lead to misuse or potential violations of privacy. For instance, using PII solely for marketing purposes might not comply with privacy laws regarding consent. Similarly, sharing PII on social media or using it for public research statistics can expose individuals to risks and may not be lawful or ethical without proper consent and safeguards. Thus, the correct approach to PII is restrict its use to official business only, where it can be adequately protected and used responsibly.