What are the raw facts that describe the characteristics of an event, object, or set of information called?

The correct answer is data. Data refers to the raw facts and figures that represent the characteristics of an event, object, or set of information. It encompasses numbers, text, images, and other forms of information that have not yet been processed or organized into a more meaningful context. In the context of ethics and privacy, understanding data is crucial because it serves as the foundational element from which information and insights are derived, impacting how organizations manage and protect individuals' information.

Other options, while related to the field of information and technology, do not fit the definition as precisely. Cookies, for example, are small pieces of data stored on a user's device that track activity and preferences, rather than being the raw facts themselves. Assets refer to valuable resources owned by an organization, which could include data as a valuable asset but does not specifically describe the raw data itself. Metadata, on the other hand, is data that provides information about other data, helping to organize, find, and manage the primary data but is not the raw data itself. Therefore, data is the most accurate term that describes the raw facts of events or objects.