Special categories of personal data are highly sensitive types of personal data identified in EU data protection law. They include categories such as health data, biometric data for identification, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, and similar protected information.
The categories of personal data referred to in ArticleΒ 9(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, ArticleΒ 10 of Directive (EU) 2016/680 and ArticleΒ 10(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725.
A side-by-side comparison of Personal Data and Special Categories of Personal Data. Understand why all special-category data is personal data, but not all personal data receives the same heightened protection.
A side-by-side comparison of Biometric Data and Special Categories of Personal Data. Understand how biometric identifiers relate to the broader set of sensitive personal data protected in EU privacy analysis.