Paging services have been under the spotlight recently following complaints from the Democrats that two paging companies had censored their messages, asking members not to use taxpayers' money to fund a birthday party for senior Exco member Sir Sze-yuen Chung.
Paging is very popular in Hong Kong.
However, many people are probably unaware of the terms and conditions adopted by paging firms when they sign contracts to use their services.
For example, paging services cannot be used for any 'improper purpose'.
The definition of 'improper' is not defined, which leaves it up to the discretion of the paging company.
And even more importantly, neither the sender of the message, nor the intended recipient, is told if a message has been censored.
Similarly, some paging companies refuse to pass on messages containing 'unacceptable language' and those that 'involve the use of insults, sedition, subversion, violence or obscenity'.
