Top retailer ticked off by privacy commissioner over data lapses
After a year-long investigation commissioner finds some companies have been too free and easy with their customers' personal details
One of the city's biggest retailers has been rapped on the knuckles by the privacy watchdog for putting at risk the personal details of 1.6 million customers who signed up for its loyalty programmes.
An investigation by the Privacy Commissioner found that the customers of ParknShop supermarkets and Watsons health and beauty products retailer were asked to supply too much personal data, including their ID number and date of birth.
In a stern statement, commissioner Allan Chiang Yam-wang criticised the A. S. Watson Group, which owns both chains, for "a lack of sensitivity to privacy and data protection". He also slammed it for being "evasive and slow" in responding to inquiries during the investigation.
Yesterday the commissioner released his report after more than a year investigating the A. S. Watson Moneyback card, the Fun Fun Card run by the China Resources Vanguard supermarkets, and the Mann Card run by Dairy Farm through its Mannings chain, Watsons' rival.
The Mann Card has 400,000 members, and the Fun Fun Card 180,000 members.
The commissioner said the Moneyback card contained one clause that permitted the transfer of personal data to Hutchison Whampoa Group for its marketing of goods and services.