The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) will celebrate the 30
th anniversary of its establishment this August. During a recent interview by Sing Tao Daily, the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (Privacy Commissioner), Ms Ada CHUNG Lai-ling, reviewed the PCPD’s work in protecting the personal data privacy of Hong Kong citizens over the three decades. She also outlined the development of her Office under the celebration theme of “Protecting Privacy ‧ Embracing Innovation”.
The Privacy Commissioner noted that since the PCPD’s establishment in 1996, the number of complaints received by the PCPD has continued to rise – from only 227 cases in 1997 to an average of around 3,500 cases annually in recent years. Data breach notifications have likewise increased, from 30 cases in 2010 to 246 cases in 2025. She said that over the years, the PCPD has established a comprehensive mechanism for handling complaints, public enquiries, conducting compliance checks and investigations, which enabled it to effectively handle major data breach incidents and other matters of public concern, including the Octopus case, the Cathay Pacific data breach incident and the 2019 doxxing cases.
The Privacy Commissioner added that the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance was amended twice over the past 30 years to strengthen the regulation of direct marketing and to combat doxxing. The amendments reflected the Government’s support and commitment to the protection of personal data privacy. At the same time, the role of the PCPD has evolved from that of a traditional regulator to being also a facilitator and an educator. Such roles can be demonstrated by the PCPD’s involvement in formulating the Standard Contract for Cross-boundary Flow of Personal Information Within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Mainland, Hong Kong), which facilitates the cross-boundary flow of personal information. The PCPD also serves as co‑chair of the Ethics and Data Protection in Artificial Intelligence Working Group and the International Enforcement Cooperation Working Group of the Global Privacy Assembly, which helps to strengthen the position of Hong Kong and the Country on the international arena.
To mark its 30
th anniversary, the PCPD would roll out a series of celebratory events, including a Touring Musical for Primary Schools titled “Privacy Theatre: Stay Smart with AI”, the PCPD 30
th Anniversary Radio Broadcast Campaign, AI Security and Cybersecurity Summit for Enterprises, the PCPD 30
th Anniversary Privacy Protection Summit and an AI and Privacy Protection Training Series, etc. These events aim to further enhance public awareness of the importance of protecting and respecting personal data privacy.
Click
here to read the Sing Tao Daily interview. (Chinese only)
Click
here to watch the Sing Tao Daily interview. (Chinese only)