Which type of information includes facts and opinions about identifiable living individuals?

The correct answer is personal data. Personal data refers to any information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual. This encompasses a wide range of details, including names, addresses, and other personal identifiers, as well as opinions and perceptions about those individuals. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) defines personal data in this manner, emphasizing the aspect of being able to identify living individuals through such information.

The other options, while related, do not capture the complete essence of the term in the same way. Confidential data typically refers to information that is meant to be kept secret or private, often related to business or organizational contexts rather than specifically individual identities. Protected information usually pertains to data that is legally safeguarded but does not necessarily imply the direct identification of individuals. Private data might be used in common language to suggest limited access to information about individuals, but it lacks the specificity and legal recognition associated with personal data regarding identifiable living individuals. This distinction makes personal data the most accurate choice in this context.