The Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data reminds organisations to review and implement appropriate data security measures amidst more data breaches.

By Kieran Donovan, Anthony Liu, and Jacqueline Van

On 13 February 2023, the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data of Hong Kong (PCPD) published an article titled “Guidance on Data Security – Heightened Importance of Data Security Amid Increased Cyberthreats”. The article discusses the increasing trend of cyberattack incidents, identifies common vulnerabilities based on data incidents the PCPD has investigated, and sets out practical guidance for data security measures.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data of Hong Kong summarised enforcement trends and plans to further amend the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.

By Kieran Donovan and Jacqueline Van

On 9 November 2022, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data of Hong Kong (Commissioner) published its annual report titled “A New Era in the Regulatory Regime for the Protection of Personal Data” (Annual Report). The Annual Report details the work of the Commissioner during 2021-2022, its observations on trends of complaints, and expectations for the year ahead. In particular, the Annual Report reflects the Commissioner’s continued efforts to enforce the new doxxing offence, and a likely further legislative review of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486) (PDPO) in the coming year.

Hong Kong regulator declares that the disclosure of personal data of potential COVID-19 carriers is permissible under law.

By Kieran Donovan

COVID-19 is having a profound impact not only on the way the world interacts socially, but also in the way it interacts in business. Businesses are choosing to protect the health and well-being of their employees by vetting the travel histories and health status of visitors, as well as tracking potential COVID-19 carriers using social media.

Hong Kong’s data protection regulator, the Office of Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) has recently published guidance considering the implications of these activities, as described below.