Privacy Commissioner Launches Privacy Awareness Week 2010

1.    The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (“PCPD”) is promoting the fourth Privacy Awareness Week (“PAW”) from 2-8 May 2010.

2.    PAW is an annual event jointly organized by the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (“APPA”) group (including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand and South Korea) that seeks to raise public awareness of the importance of protecting personal data privacy.  In its fourth year, PAW 2010 focuses on senior citizens.

3.    “The elderly are more susceptible to identity theft, telemarketing fraud and other rip-offs.  And with more and more senior citizens using the Internet, online scams are of increasing concern.  To help them recognize potential data privacy risks and prevent them from being victimized by crime and financial exploitation, my office is offering a wide range of educational activities and tools throughout the PAW.” The Privacy Commissioner Mr. Roderick Woo said.

4.    During the PAW, the PCPD will release the results of a survey on senior citizens’ attitude towards personal data privacy conducted by the Sau Po Ageing Centre of the University of Hong Kong; launch an online ID theft self-assessment tool; publish an information booklet on protecting personal data in daily life; and conduct public seminars for senior citizens and members of the Data Protection Officers’ Club.

5.    “I am glad that corporate data users are very supportive of the PAW in Hong Kong.  This year, over 30 corporate data users will organize their own PAW activities within the organization in instilling a privacy safe culture in the workplace.” Mr. Woo said.
 
6.    The PCPD will launch its fourth industry-wide privacy campaign for insurers during the PAW.  Insurance practitioners handle large quantities of personal data in the course of their work, such as policyholders’ identification card numbers, dwelling addresses, contact numbers and medical records.  These are highly sensitive personal data that require proper handling procedures and security measures.  To reinforce the insurers to take precautionary steps to protect customers’ personal data privacy, the PCPD will offer CPD course in relation to data protection approved by the Insurance Intermediaries Quality Assurance Scheme for all industry players to attend.

7.    For more information on PAW 2010 events and promotional items, please visit the PCPD website at http://www.pcpd.org.hk, or the PAW 2010 website at http://www.privacyawarenessweek.org.


END