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The Madison Avenue Field GuideA field guide to marketing & advertising, by Brandon Mina

GlossaryPrivacy & IdentitySensitive Personal Information

Privacy & Identity

Sensitive Personal Information

Special categories of data such as health, precise location, race, religion, sexual orientation and biometrics that privacy laws protect more strictly.

By Brandon MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated November 2026

Short answer

Sensitive personal information refers to special categories of data, such as health details, precise location, race, religion, sexual orientation and biometrics, that privacy laws protect more strictly. Using it often requires explicit consent or is restricted entirely, which limits how marketers can target or segment audiences based on these traits.