Data hk is an important part of the internet’s infrastructure, and provides services that enable users to access content, communicate with each other, and engage in business transactions. Consequently, there are various laws and regulations that govern the collection and use of personal data. These regulations provide a foundation for personal privacy protection. In Hong Kong, this is primarily governed by the Personal Data Protection Ordinance (PDPO), which sets out rights for individuals and specific obligations for data users. The PDPO was first introduced in 1996 and has been significantly amended twice since then, most recently in 2021.
Essentially, personal data is information about a living individual from which it is practicable to identify the individual. However, some data does not meet this criteria, such as statistical information. Furthermore, the PDPO specifies that personal data can only be used for purposes that were informed to the data subject on or before the collection of his/her personal data. Moreover, the PDPO also requires that a data user expressly obtain the voluntary and express consent of a data subject before transferring his/her personal data to a third party in respect of a purpose not set out in the PICS.
The PDPO contains several exemptions to these restrictions. For example, the data user is not required to obtain the consent of a data subject where the transfer is necessary for: safeguarding national security, defence and international relations; prevention or detection of crime; assessment or collection of tax or duty; protection of life; the disclosure of the identity, location or health data of a person in case of a threat to his/her physical or mental health or that of another individual; or legal proceedings.
There are a number of other considerations when thinking about data transfers. The first is whether the data falls within the definition of personal data. The PDPO defines personal data as “data which relates to an identified or identifiable natural person, and includes any information about that individual”. It is a fairly broad definition that covers a wide range of data.
SmarTone offers a range of roaming packages, including a HK$ 38 SIM with 8GB for a year in HK and mainland China. This SIM is aimed at domestic helpers but can be used by other travellers, too. It does not have any throttling of speed and supports FaceTime, WhatsApp and VoIP calling. However, tethering is not allowed. In addition, a day for SmarTone packages counts to midnight local time, and data use in Macau is debited at the local rate. It is therefore worth checking that your preferred destination has similar regulations before making a purchase.