PCPD joined APEC Cross-border Privacy Enforcement Arrangement

1.    The Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Mr. Allan Chiang announced that the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) has joined the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Cross-border Privacy Enforcement Arrangement (CPEA) with Privacy Enforcement Authorities (PE Authorities) from APEC member economies.

2.    The CPEA is an initiative of the APEC economies to facilitate both domestic and international efforts to promote and enforce information privacy protections.  It aims to contribute to consumer trust and business confidence in electronic commerce involving cross-border data flows by establishing a framework for information sharing and regional cooperation in the enforcement of privacy laws.

3.    “Hong Kong is a trading hub in Asia Pacific where many organizations move information across borders as part of their business activities.  The CPEA will help in our investigation of violation of personal data privacy that involves cross-border data transfer.  Having joined CPEA, Hong Kong may now contact other participating PE Authorities for assistance or to make referrals and conduct parallel/joint exercises regarding information privacy investigations and enforcement matters that involve each other’s economies.  This will enhance Hong Kong’s sustained efforts to increase cross-border trade and growth.” Mr. Chiang said.

4.    “If an overseas company that collects personal data in Hong Kong infringes the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, or if a resident found his personal data held by a Hong Kong company being transferred to an overseas recipient and then subsequently being misused, the PCPD may now seek assistance from the relevant PE Authorities in the course of the investigation.  On a wider front, if an international company whose business spreads across APEC member economies is found to have carried out practices that violates personal data privacy, concerted efforts can be taken by the relevant participating PE Authorities to investigate the matter, ” Mr. Chiang explained.

5.    The CPEA has commenced on 16 July 2010.  At present, five PE Authorities have joined the CPEA, including the Australian Office of the Privacy Commissioner, Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, New Zealand Office of the Privacy Commissioner, the United States Federal Trade Commission and the PCPD.

6.    For details of CPEA, please visit:
http://www.apec.org./apec/news___media/fact_sheets/201006cpea.html

7.    Please click here to view PCPD's Summary Statement of enforcement practices, policies and activities under the CPEA.