California legal term
Private information in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Private information” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “Private information” mean in California criminal law?
“Private information” means any information that identifies or describes an individual, including, but not limited to, his or her name; electronic mail, chat, instant messenger, social networking, or similar name used for Internet communication; social security number; account numbers; passwords; personal identification numbers; physical description; physical location; home address; home telephone number; education; financial matters; medical or employment history; and statements made by, or attributed to, the individual. (Cal. Penal Code § 290.024)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.