Increasingly, our lives are being run by data. It is not only an important resource, but it can also help us make better decisions. But there is a growing concern about how this data is collected and used, particularly when it comes to personal information. As a result, the government has been working to increase protections for our privacy. This article will discuss some of the latest developments and what you can do to protect your information.

The first step is to understand what constitutes personal data. The term refers to any information that can be directly or indirectly associated with an individual. It may include a person’s name, address, email address or telephone number. It can even include genetic, health or financial information. Similarly, it can include photographs, video recordings, GPS location data, and internet search history.

When deciding whether or not a particular piece of data is personal, it is important to consider the purpose for which it will be used. For example, a photograph of a crowd at a concert would not be considered personal data under Hong Kong law if it is not intended to identify any particular individuals. This principle also applies to CCTV recordings, logs of persons entering car parks and records of meetings that do not identify specific speakers or participants.

A data user must clearly notify a person of the purposes for which their personal information will be used and the categories of people to whom it will be transferred. This must be done before collecting the information or before it is transferred. In addition, a data user must obtain the person’s express consent to use his or her personal information for other purposes.

In addition, a data user must implement security measures to protect the personal information they collect from unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration or loss. These measures must be designed to ensure that the data is not kept for longer than necessary and that it is only used in ways that are permitted by the PDPO.

The PDPO also requires that the data user take all reasonable steps to erase personal information that is no longer required for the purpose for which it was collected. In addition, a data user must ensure that it only transfers personal information to third parties if they have agreed to comply with the PDPO.

Although the PDPO is a great step forward for data protection, it does not necessarily have extraterritorial application. This means that Hong Kong residents will need to be vigilant about protecting their personal data, even if the company they work with is outside of the territory. This includes companies that provide services such as cloud computing and social media. This will require them to be aware of the PDPO and take steps to ensure that their employees are properly trained on how to handle personal information.