A Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) is a systematic process used to evaluate how personal information is collected, stored, used, and shared by an organization. Its main goal is to identify and minimize potential privacy risks to individuals when new projects, systems, or technologies are introduced. PIAs are often required by law, especially for government agencies, to ensure compliance with privacy regulations and to promote transparency. The assessment helps organizations understand the impact of their data practices, implement safeguards, and build trust with the public by demonstrating a commitment to protecting personal information.