Data hk
The Hong Kong government is considering an update to the Personal Data Protection Ordinance (PDPO). This would expand the definition of “personal data” from only including information that can identify a person to also include any information that could impact their identity. This would mean additional protection for individuals and increased compliance measures for businesses that use data.
A major issue with the current PDPO is the lack of extraterritorial application. The legislation only applies in HK and Macau, but many companies collect personal data outside of these jurisdictions. If the HKPDPO is amended to include an extraterritorial application, it will provide a level of protection to people who live and work in other countries.
This is a key concern of data privacy experts in Hong Kong. The PDPO requires a “data controller” to notify the Privacy Commissioner when it is collecting personal data from an individual in HK, but this requirement does not extend to data collected from non-residents. This creates an imbalance between the rights of the residents of HK and those of overseas data subjects, who may have no idea that their personal information is being collected in Hong Kong.
The PDPO also contains restrictions on the use of personal data collected from HK residents by overseas entities. These are designed to protect the personal data of those living or working in HK from being exported abroad for purposes unrelated to their employment. This includes the exploitation of personal data by international fraud syndicates.
There are also restrictions on the use of personal data for direct marketing. These are aimed at protecting the privacy of individuals from unwanted and intrusive marketing. A violation of these provisions is a criminal offence and can carry hefty fines or imprisonment.
In addition to the above, data protection laws in HK prohibit the collection of personal information from minors. These rules are intended to prevent the abuse of young persons and protect their sensitive data. It is important for parents to understand these regulations and supervise the use of their children’s mobile phones and other devices.
HK has a lot to offer, but the cost of living and poor infrastructure make it hard to attract people to relocate here. The only jobs that pay well are in finance, and even then the salaries are not as competitive as other parts of Asia. The startup scene is stifled by high costs and a culture of graft and social unrest. In my opinion, it is best to try other cities in South East Asia if you are looking for an exciting career in tech. The golden days of HK are long gone. I wish I had left earlier!
