The Importance of Data Protection in Hong Kong
The enactment of data hk has heightened the importance of data protection within Hong Kong businesses. Data hk sets out six data protection principles and establishes a number of specific obligations to data controllers. These include the obligation to notify data subjects when personal data is collected and to comply with a number of other statutory provisions including those related to processing, erasure, loss, and access to personal information. Moreover, data hk also requires that the personal data of individuals be kept no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.
As such, the data hk framework is designed to protect the personal privacy of individuals in line with Hong Kong’s international reputation. It is also intended to reduce the burden on businesses and increase efficiency in compliance with data protection laws.
When it comes to personal data transfers between entities in different jurisdictions, the most important issue is ensuring that a business has the legal basis to transfer the information. It is also crucial to consider the impact of the laws of a destination jurisdiction, particularly those related to personal data transfers.
A common approach is to conduct a transfer impact assessment in order to assess the risks of a specific personal data transfer. This involves an examination of the lawful basis for transferring the personal data, reviewing any PICS that may have been provided to the data subject, and considering the classes of persons to whom the data may be transferred. It is a key step in the process, and one that has received much attention in the context of GDPR.
The transfer impact assessment should be accompanied by an assessment of the business purpose for which the personal data is being transferred. This is an important consideration as it will influence the extent to which a PICS must be provided and how an organisation can justify its transfer. It is also essential to review any contracts with third party data processors in order to identify and understand the obligations of those parties.
In addition, it is important to consider whether the personal data being transferred would be considered “personal data” under PDPO. As set out in PDPO, the definition of personal data includes any information relating to an identifiable natural person. This definition has not been updated since PDPO was first enacted, and it is therefore important to ensure that a company’s processes are in line with the current norm of what constitutes “personal data”.
Finally, any business that is engaged in personal data transfers should consider its legal compliance in light of section 33 of PDPO. This provision prohibits the transfer of personal data out of Hong Kong unless certain conditions are fulfilled. This is a vital consideration given that Hong Kong has an established reputation for protecting the privacy of its residents. It is not uncommon for companies to engage in large volumes of personal data transfers, and it is important that those transfers are made with an understanding of the requirements of PDPO and its DPPs.