Personal Data Privacy Matters
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data aims to inspire citizens to be more careful about how they use their personal data online. But this involves challenges, says the Privacy Commissioner Ada CHUNG.
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When it comes to developing a culture of privacy, protection and respect for personal data, Ada Chung, the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (Privacy Commissioner) in Hong Kong, has a massive job on her hands. As an independent watchdog, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) is designed to monitor, supervise, promote and enforce compliance in relation to the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO), which came into effect in 1996.
Aside from supervising and enforcing protection of personal data privacy, the PCPD provides guidance, public education and best practice notes on the lawful and responsible use of personal data. In today’s digital world, this is no easy task. The rise of technology and the growing use of social media and apps are driving a proliferation of data, and online activities have increased dramatically, especially during the pandemic. Consequently, the PCPD has its hands full putting out fires while trying its best to educate the public and businesses about respecting and safeguarding personal data.
According to the results of a survey released by the PCPD in January 2021, over 85 per cent of Hong Kong citizens are active users of social media, and share personal information online, Chung says. This information often includes their date of birth, residential address, and health information.
Ominously, most online users are unaware that they are sharing these details. “This is dangerous,” Chung says. “If personal data is leaked, it can be misused, and that can lead to the perpetration of crimes or fraud. In Hong Kong, in the past two years, doxxing has become rampant, which has caused serious and long-lasting effects on its victims.”
Doxxing is the act of disclosing the personal data of a data subject without the relevant consent of the data subject, and the discloser is being reckless or has an intent to cause harm to the data subject or any family member of the data subject. There has been a notable rise in doxxing in Hong Kong in recent years. The privacy watchdog noted that over 5,800 doxxing cases were handled between June 2019 and June 2021.