Privacy Commissioner strives to promote protection of personal data privacy

1.     Recent incidents of loss and leakage of large amount of personal data have aroused widespread discussions in the society.  Reports of the media generally recognized the importance of protecting personal data and supported the work of the PCPD in related promotion and training.

2.   The Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Mr. Roderick B. Woo said, “Promoting public awareness of protecting personal data privacy and compliance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (the Ordinance) is one of my primary functions.  In this connection, the PCPD has regularly organized different promotion activities and training seminars.”

3.      Seminars on the requirements of the Ordinance have been held in different formats for the public and staff of various organizations, including monthly free seminars for the public, and training seminars for the staff of government departments and other organizations.  Furthermore, to promote the message of privacy protection to the public, leaflets, pamphlets and posters on different themes have been published, and the latest information of the PCPD is released via its website.  For example, a leaflet was published to teach people how to protect their personal data in their daily lives, including locking their mailboxes and careful disposal of personal correspondence.

4.    17 free public introductory seminars have been held for over 900 participants since 2007.  Staff of the PCPD have delivered 93 talks at different organizations to over 8,500 participants, including:
-    Leisure and Cultural Department
-    Student Financial Assistance Agency
-    Correctional Services Department
-    Immigration Department
-    Census and Statistics Department
-    Housing Department
-    Intellectual Property Department
-    Judiciary
-    Health Department
-    Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
-    Prince of Wales Hospital

5.   Moreover, the PCPD established the Data Protection Officers’ Club in 2000, targeting at the personal data protection officers of the public and private sectors.  Regular activities, such as seminars, workshops, luncheon gatherings and familiarization visits are held for members to familiarize themselves with the practices of personal data protection.  At present, the number of members exceeds 300, which includes staff from over 170 organizations.  The PCPD will continue to invite membership from different organizations to learn and share the proper ways of handling personal data.

6.     Mr. Woo said, “Due to limited resources, we can only afford to engage one full-time trainer.  However, we always try to make the best use of resources by assigning the officers to assist her on a per case basis wherever possible.  Every endeavor is made to promote respect for and compliance with the protection of personal data in the society.  More resources in the future will enable the Commissioner to provide more sophisticated services.”