Date: 14 July 2026
Reaching Out to the Community – Assistant Privacy Commissioner Interviewed by Media on Dashcam Video Footage and the Protection of Personal Data Privacy
The Assistant Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (Legal) (Assistant Privacy Commissioner), Ms. Fiona LAI Ho-yan, was interviewed by Commercial Radio’s “On a Clear Day” on 13 July to explain personal data privacy issues relating to dashcam video footage.
While the Assistant Privacy Commissioner did not comment on individual cases, she pointed out that, as the interior of a vehicle is a semi-private space, the installation of dashcam cameras may involve the collection of personal data if the footage captured can be used to identify individuals. In such circumstances, the relevant data users should comply with the requirements of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO). Under Data Protection Principle (DPP) 3 of the PDPO, unless the prescribed consent of the data subject has been obtained voluntarily and expressly, personal data may only be used for the purpose for which it was collected or a directly related purpose.
She further explained that uploading video footage containing the personal data of others to social media platforms without the data subjects' consent may contravene the requirements under DPP 3 of the PDPO. Depending on the specific circumstances of the case, such conduct may also constitute a doxxing offence under the PDPO.
In addition, she referred to the Guidance on the Use of Video Cameras on Drones and Vehicles issued by the PCPD in October 2025, which sets out matters that fleet operators and drivers should take into account when using surveillance cameras, and reminded the relevant parties of the need to comply with the requirements of the PDPO in order to safeguard the personal data privacy of passengers and other individuals.