1. A card which incorporates a nonvolatile semiconductor memory integrated circuit, said nonvolatile semiconductor memory integrated circuit comprising: a plurality of data memory elements arranged in a matrix; a first means for accessing a selected one element within said plurality of data memory elements in accordance with an address signal specified with respect to said matrix; a protecting data memory element for storing at least 1-bit protection data disposed within said matrix; and a second means for reading out the content of said protecting data memory element, whereby whether a programming erasing or reading operation with respect to said selected one element is to be allowed or inhibited is determined in accordance with the content of said protecting data memory element, said content being read by said second means, wherein said data memory elements are respectively constituted by electrically erasable and programmable memory elements, and wherein said protecting data memory element is constituted by an electrically erasable and programmable memory element.