Consumers need updated regulation to protect their personal data

Gilly Wong says that with the convenience of online products and services comes risks, including of companies that access too much of consumers’ personal information, and the government needs to adapt legislation to this reality

Reading Time:3 minutes

A customer tries the voice recognition function on an Apple iPhone in Causeway Bay. As technology advances, the features that offer consumers’ convenience may also make them vulnerable. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 3:19pm, 15 Mar 2018Updated: 3:19pm, 15 Mar 2018

In the digital age, the economy is part of a world of big data. One example is the government’s smart city blueprint, its five-year development plan for Hong Kong’s future, which includes the introduction of faster payment systems and an electronic ID for all residents.

The internet is all pervasive in modern life. But while consumers take delight in convenience, they must safeguard personal information to keep it out of the hands of merchants and third parties who will use them for market analysis and sales promotion.

The theme for this year’s World Consumer Rights Day on March 15 is “Making Digital Marketplaces Fairer”, as part of a global campaign for a secure internet, better consumer protection online and action against fraud.

Envision for a moment the electronic bangle you wear on your wrist telling you your body’s condition and reminding you of how much water and exercise you need today. No more worries of forgetting to stock up on food, as milk, vegetables and fruits have been ordered via a smart system. Sit back and relax in a driverless car, speak your name on the mobile handset and, in an instant, you start rolling out commands for fund deposits, investments and so on.

How artificial intelligence will change the face of security in China

This is not fantasy. Already, in recent years, there has been a growing consumer acceptance of the “smart home” concept and emergence of smart appliances for the home. For instance, “smart refrigerators” are no longer merely for cold storage; they can also monitor what food will soon expire.