A Sample Survey of Web Sites in Hong Kong
on Practices in Relation to the
Collection of Personal Data on the Internet
(Conducted in July to October 1998)

Summary

During the period of July to October 1998, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong (PCPD) conducted a survey of 531 web sites hosted by both private and public sector organisations in Hong Kong. The objective of the survey was to assess the extent to which Hong Kong-based web sites are operated in a manner that meets standards of good and reasonable information handling in general and accords with the requirements of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance ("the Ordinance") in particular. The survey concentrated on whether the web sites:

• collect personal data, and if so, whether they notify the individuals concerned of the matter including the purposes for collecting such data, (e.g. by displaying a Personal Information Collection Statement (PIC Statement) required by the Ordinance;
  
  
• make available on-line a Privacy Policy Statement setting out the organisations' policies and practices in relation to personal data;
  
  
• provide a safe environment for transmission of personal data on the Internet e.g. by means of encryption;
  
  
• make use of "cookies", and if so, whether they notify users of their practices in this regard; and
  
  
• allow Internet users to browse without disclosing their identity.