Andy Hui cheating scandal: Macau issues privacy warning to cabbies
- Gambling hub’s data protection watchdog reminds public of new law surrounding digital recording devices in cars
- In Hong Kong incident has reopened debate on need for legislation
Macau has warned taxi and hire car drivers not to illegally install recording equipment inside their vehicles, after a video of Hong Kong superstar Sammi Cheng Sau-man’s husband cheating on her was made public.
The leaked footage showed singer Andy Hui Chi-on kissing and cuddling TVB actress Jacqueline Wong in the back of a car, in a 16-minute video that quickly went viral.
The casino hub’s data protection watchdog issued the warning on Wednesday in response to “a matter that took place in a neighbouring district in which a video recording was made inside a taxi carriage, which has attracted media and public attention”.
Under the new law to be implemented in June, the Office for Personal Data Protection said only video and audio devices installed by Macau’s Transport Bureau were legal. Offenders could face prosecution, resulting in heavy fines or imprisonment, it said.
In Hong Kong, the video has reopened the debate surrounding privacy concerns between lawmakers and the taxi industry, and many have urged the government to tighten regulations on the use of digital cameras. It was not known whether the couple were in a taxi, hire car, or private vehicle when the video was taken.