Transport bosses dismiss privacy concerns over automatic toll system at new Hong Kong tunnel, saying drivers’ personal data will only be kept for 30 days
- Undersecretary says data collected at Tseung Kwan O-Lam Tin Tunnel will only be used if driver disputes a charge
- Automatic system will also see cameras take picture of rear number plate, but not of drivers or their passengers
Hong Kong’s senior transport officials have brushed off privacy concerns over a new automatic tolling system at a tunnel linking Lam Tin and Tseung Kwan O, saying drivers’ personal information would be deleted within 30 days.
On Friday, Raymond So Wai-man, undersecretary for transport and housing, said the government strictly complied with the policy governing the use of personal data and would only keep the information in case drivers disputed whether they had used the tunnel.
“We would keep the information for around 30 days, but the main goal is not for keeping personal details,” he said.
So said if there was no disagreement over the charge, the data would be discarded, something he said was common practice.
The undersecretary’s comments came at a Legislative Council’s transport panel meeting where lawmakers aired concerns over the new tolling scheme at the Tseung Kwan O-Lam Tin Tunnel, which is expected to open in 2021, and charge HK$3 per trip.
Under the automatic system, drivers will be issued a sticker tag which is to be placed on the windscreen, next to the rear-view mirror.