A phone number can directly or indirectly identify an individual

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A phone number can directly or indirectly identify an individual, especially when combined with other data. For example, if you have a phone number and a messaging app like WhatsApp, that number may reveal the user's name, profile picture, location, or connections. Even without these additional layers, mobile phone numbers are typically tied to specific individuals—particularly in the case of personal devices or SIM registration systems, which in many countries require a name and ID.

Because of its identifying nature, GDPR imposes strict requirements on any organization that collects, stores, processes, or shares phone numbers belonging to individuals in the European Union. Here are key compliance points:

Lawful Basis for Processing: Organizations must have a lawful basis to collect or process phone numbers—such as consent, contract fulfillment, legal obligation, or legitimate interest. For example, a company may need your phone number to deliver a service you've signed up for (contractual basis), or they may ask for explicit consent to send marketing messages.

Purpose Limitation and Data Minimization: Under GDPR, organizations viber data may only collect phone numbers for specific, legitimate purposes and must not use them for incompatible purposes later. Also, they should collect only the minimum data necessary for the intended task—if a phone number isn’t strictly required, it shouldn’t be collected.

Security of Data: GDPR mandates that personal data, including phone numbers, be protected against unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss. This may involve encryption, access controls, and secure storage.

Transparency and User Rights: Data subjects have the right to know how their phone numbers are being used, stored, and shared. Organizations must clearly communicate this in privacy policies and provide mechanisms for users to access, correct, delete, or transfer their personal data.

International Transfers: If an organization processes EU citizens’ phone numbers outside of the EU, it must ensure adequate data protection through mechanisms like Standard Contractual Clauses or adequacy decisions.

In short, under GDPR, a phone number is unequivocally classified as personal data. Organizations handling such data must treat it with the same level of care and compliance as other forms of PII, such as names, email addresses, or identification numbers. Non-compliance can result in significant fines and legal consequences, especially if the misuse or exposure of phone numbers leads to privacy breaches or identity misuse.