appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Samuel Chan

The often lengthy and jargon-filled terms of agreement one is expected to read before downloading a smartphone application or signing up for a service do not encourage meaningful consent, the new privacy commissioner said.
"Who would read it when it suddenly pops up?" asked Stephen Wong Kai-yi during an interview with the South China Morning  Post. "Often one's reaction is to get it out of the way.
"What we are talking about is how to enable informed consent."
Wong defined informed consent as ensuring a person truly understood the risks involved in agreeing to use a service.
He said terms of agreement should be written in layman's language as well as presented in an engaging manner.
Recalling Winston Churchill's quip on what makes a good speech, Wong said the ideal length for terms and conditions should be "like a woman's skirt - long enough to cover the subject and short enough to create interest".
Wong also identified the default settings as needing some re-examination.
"The default [option] now is 'I accept', but this should be reversed," he said.
"The default should be 'I do not accept' unless one really wants it.
"But whenever I want to delete an app, I am asked 'are you sure' and the default answer is 'no'."
Wong said there was no plan yet to introduce his default suggestion through legislation, as the commission was working to create a culture of mutual understanding between the public and the parties that are using their data, primarily businesses.
With public education also one of his priorities, Wong said the privacy commission's website would get a facelift, updating its guidelines on various aspects of privacy.
The site's content will also be more concise and engaging to better appeal to young people.
Wong has also been considering tailor-made guidelines on media industry best practices.
Among his suggestions are categorising the kind of photographs that intrude on privacy or a review of how personal data collected should be handled.
Anticipating reluctance from the media, he noted that similar guidelines existed in many Western countries and would not necessarily limit media professionals from doing their jobs.


To agree, or not agree? New Hong Kong privacy commissioner wants terms of agreement to encourage 'informed consent'

Barrister Stephen Wong Kai-yi, 60, is the city's new privacy chief

News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Ideal length for terms and conditions should be "like a woman's skirt - long enough to cover the subject and short enough to create interest"


To agree, or not agree? New Hong Kong privacy commissioner wants terms of agreement to encourage 'informed consent'

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Ideal length for terms and conditions should be "like a woman's skirt - long enough to cover the subject and short enough to create interest"

Ideal length for terms and conditions should be "like a woman's skirt - long enough to cover the subject and short enough to create interest"