A change in the air? Hong Kong privacy tsar says data protection should not halt innovation and that includes drones
‘Fair enforcement’ following the ‘spirit’ of both users and the law to be emphasised
Hong Kong’s privacy tsar says data protection should not obstruct innovation and that drones play a leading role in developing emerging technologies, marking a shift in his office’s stance on the unmanned aerial vehicles.
The flying machines, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs, have raised concerns around the world, such as with aviation regulators over the threats they pose to air safety. UAVs have also sparked worry over privacy as they may be operated remotely and can conceal that they are filming.
In an exclusive interview with the Post, however, Wong said privacy laws should be assessed not simply by following the “letter” of the ordinance but by considering the “spirit” of users.
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The more relaxed approach is new for the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data. Wong’s predecessor Allan Chiang Yam-wang warned that drones were “unblinking eyes in the sky”. Both Chiang and Wong had expressed privacy concerns because a camera on a drone could film people without their permission.