Media Statements
Media Statement - Hong Kong and Singapore Authorities Renew MOU to Maintain Close Ties and Foster Closer Collaborationin Personal Data Protection
Date: 13 July 2022
Hong Kong and Singapore Authorities Renew MOU
Hong Kong and Singapore Authorities Renew MOU
to Maintain Close Ties and Foster Closer Collaboration
in Personal Data Protection
Hong Kong, China and Singapore – 13 July 2022: Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong, China (PCPD) and Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) today signed and renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to maintain their existing ties and foster closer cooperation with an enhanced scope of collaboration in personal data protection.
The MOU was signed virtually today on the sidelines of the 57th Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) Forum by Ms Ada CHUNG Lai-ling, Hong Kong’s Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data and Mr YEONG Zee Kin, Deputy Commissioner of Singapore’s PDPC[1] in the respective jurisdictions.
Under the MOU, the scope of collaboration between the two data protection authorities includes, among others, the exchange of information and sharing of best practices involving data protection policies and enforcement actions, coordination and provision of mutual assistance in joint investigations into cross-border personal data incidents, and collaboration in education and training.
Ms Ada CHUNG Lai-ling, Hong Kong’s Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data said, “As we hustle towards a world of increasingly globalised data, protection of personal data privacy is no longer confined within borders. The MOU forms a solid basis of the working relationship between the two data protection authorities and establishes an enhanced framework for collaboration and practicable cooperation. I believe that an effective cooperation mechanism would be beneficial to both authorities on various fronts, ranging from enforcement actions to promotion and public education.”
Mr YEONG Zee Kin, Deputy Commissioner of the PDPC said, “With accelerated digitalisation, especially with COVID-19, we see an exponential increase in data generation and data flows. The PDPC strives to maximise the benefits of using data in a responsible manner by businesses for a thriving digital economy. Fostering a closer relationship and maintaining a collaborative effort with our counterparts in Hong Kong and other jurisdictions is needed for advancing data protection in a globalised world. Our MOU will focus on the exchange of information, provision of mutual assistance in joint investigations and education.”
Background
Hong Kong’s PCPD and Singapore’s PDPC continue to enjoy warm working relations in global personal data protection, with both regulatory authorities being active members of international organisations such as APPA and the Global Privacy Enforcement Network. In May 2019, the two authorities signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop bilateral platforms for the advancement of personal data protection. The MOU signed today demonstrates both authorities’ commitments to stepping up collaboration and cooperation in the protection of personal data privacy in new and emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and cross border data flows.
About the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong, China (PCPD)
The PCPD is an independent body set up to oversee the implementation of and compliance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (the Ordinance) in Hong Kong. The PCPD strives to ensure the protection of the privacy of individuals in relation to personal data through monitoring and supervising compliance with the Ordinance, enforcing its provisions and promoting the culture of protecting and respecting personal data. Visit PCPD.org.hk for more information.
About Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC)
The PDPC was established to administer and enforce the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) in Singapore by serving as Singapore’s main authority in matters relating to personal data protection and representing the Singapore Government internationally on data protection related issues. The PDPC’s mission is to foster an environment of trust among businesses and customers by striving to balance the protection of individuals’ personal data with organisations’ need to use the data for legitimate purposes. For more information, please visit www.pdpc.gov.sg.
For media queries, please contact:
The MOU was signed virtually today on the sidelines of the 57th Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) Forum by Ms Ada CHUNG Lai-ling, Hong Kong’s Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data and Mr YEONG Zee Kin, Deputy Commissioner of Singapore’s PDPC[1] in the respective jurisdictions.
Under the MOU, the scope of collaboration between the two data protection authorities includes, among others, the exchange of information and sharing of best practices involving data protection policies and enforcement actions, coordination and provision of mutual assistance in joint investigations into cross-border personal data incidents, and collaboration in education and training.
Ms Ada CHUNG Lai-ling, Hong Kong’s Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data said, “As we hustle towards a world of increasingly globalised data, protection of personal data privacy is no longer confined within borders. The MOU forms a solid basis of the working relationship between the two data protection authorities and establishes an enhanced framework for collaboration and practicable cooperation. I believe that an effective cooperation mechanism would be beneficial to both authorities on various fronts, ranging from enforcement actions to promotion and public education.”
Mr YEONG Zee Kin, Deputy Commissioner of the PDPC said, “With accelerated digitalisation, especially with COVID-19, we see an exponential increase in data generation and data flows. The PDPC strives to maximise the benefits of using data in a responsible manner by businesses for a thriving digital economy. Fostering a closer relationship and maintaining a collaborative effort with our counterparts in Hong Kong and other jurisdictions is needed for advancing data protection in a globalised world. Our MOU will focus on the exchange of information, provision of mutual assistance in joint investigations and education.”
Background
Hong Kong’s PCPD and Singapore’s PDPC continue to enjoy warm working relations in global personal data protection, with both regulatory authorities being active members of international organisations such as APPA and the Global Privacy Enforcement Network. In May 2019, the two authorities signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop bilateral platforms for the advancement of personal data protection. The MOU signed today demonstrates both authorities’ commitments to stepping up collaboration and cooperation in the protection of personal data privacy in new and emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and cross border data flows.
(Photo 1)
(Photo 2)
Hong Kong’s Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Ms Ada CHUNG Lai-ling (Photo 1), and the Deputy Commissioner of Singapore’s PDPC, Mr YEONG Zee Kin, (Photo 2) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 13 July 2022 at a virtual signing ceremony.
(Photo 2)
Hong Kong’s Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Ms Ada CHUNG Lai-ling (Photo 1), and the Deputy Commissioner of Singapore’s PDPC, Mr YEONG Zee Kin, (Photo 2) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 13 July 2022 at a virtual signing ceremony.
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JOINTLY ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRIVACY COMMISSIONER FOR PERSONAL DATA, HONG KONG, CHINA AND THE PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION COMMISSION, SINGAPORE |
About the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong, China (PCPD)
The PCPD is an independent body set up to oversee the implementation of and compliance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (the Ordinance) in Hong Kong. The PCPD strives to ensure the protection of the privacy of individuals in relation to personal data through monitoring and supervising compliance with the Ordinance, enforcing its provisions and promoting the culture of protecting and respecting personal data. Visit PCPD.org.hk for more information.
About Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC)
The PDPC was established to administer and enforce the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) in Singapore by serving as Singapore’s main authority in matters relating to personal data protection and representing the Singapore Government internationally on data protection related issues. The PDPC’s mission is to foster an environment of trust among businesses and customers by striving to balance the protection of individuals’ personal data with organisations’ need to use the data for legitimate purposes. For more information, please visit www.pdpc.gov.sg.
For media queries, please contact:
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Mr Eric Lam Acting Press Secretary Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong, China DL: (852) 3423 6663 Email: eric.lam@pcpd.org.hk |
Mr Choo Hong Xian Manager, Communications and Marketing Infocomm Media Development Authority DID: (65) 6955 0221 Email: choo_hong_xian@imda.gov.sg |
[1] Since 2017, PDPC is administratively set up within the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore, and continues to play the main role in administering and enforcing the Personal Data Protection Act in Singapore.
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