Internet Surfing with
Privacy in mind - A Guide for Individual Net Users
Introduction
The rapid development of the Internet has made an abundance
of information easily accessible on-line to everyone who has
a connection to it. As the Internet's information capacity
increases, so too will the range of services and information
available to the public. Undoubtedly, the Internet will enhance
and eventually transform communication, education, commerce,
the provision of government services, and virtually every
other aspect of modern life.
However, accompanying these innovations are significant privacy
issues. The issues relate to the risks associated with respect
to the collection, use and security of personal data when
one surfs the net for fun, information or to obtain goods
or services. Of particular concern to individuals is the potential
loss of their personal privacy if data about them are collected
without their knowledge or are intercepted and misused for
fraudulent or other purposes for which the individual does
not intend the data to be used, e.g. profiling. This can occur
when the individual provides personal details to gain access
to an Internet service or when the individual communicates
with someone else via Internet e-mails that contain sensitive
information.
The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance ("the Ordinance") provides
individuals with the following privacy rights with respect
to organisations based in Hong Kong:
- to have their personal data collected in a manner which
is lawful and fair and to be informed of the purposes for
which the data are to be used;
- to consent to a change of use of the data; to have their
personal data kept accurate, up-to-date, secure and for
no longer than necessary;
- to obtain a copy of their personal data held by a data
user and to require correction of any inaccuracy; to ascertain
a data user's personal data policy and practices.
The main purpose of this Guide is to raise awareness of individuals
of the privacy risks in using the Internet and to assist them
to protect their privacy by alerting them to the precautionary
actions that can be taken.
