/Glossary · Defined term
digital personal data
Defined in section 2(n) of the Act.
Act, section 2(n)
(n) “digital personal data” means personal data in digital form;
The Act defines "digital personal data" simply as personal data that is in a digital form. This definition is brief but acts as a crucial boundary for the law. It means that for information to fall under this specific term, it must meet two distinct conditions. First, it must qualify as personal data. Second, it must exist in a digital format rather than a physical one. By defining the term this way, the law draws a clear line between digital records and traditional paper records. If information is kept purely on paper and never digitized, it does not fit this specific definition. The focus is entirely on electronic or digital formats. This term is central to the rest of the Act, as it sets the stage for what kind of information is regulated. The definition does not list specific types of technology or devices, keeping the focus broad enough to cover any digital representation of personal data.
Key points
- The term "digital personal data" is defined as personal data that exists in a digital form (2(n)).
- Information must meet both criteria of being personal data and being digital to fit this definition (2(n)).
- The definition excludes personal data that is not in a digital format (2(n)).
Common misreadings
- A reader might think this term covers physical paper records, but the definition strictly limits it to data in digital form.
Interpretation prepared from the official text only, 9 September 2026. The official text above prevails.
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