The data hk website provides access to Hong Kong-related open data from the government and other sources. It is useful for academics, entrepreneurs and anyone looking to do research on the Hong Kong economy, society or environment. The data hk portal contains a wealth of primary and secondary open data in different formats including line graphs, cross sectional plots and maps. The portal also includes information about the people and places of Hong Kong as well as its economic performance, public expenditure and social development.
Modernisation of data protection laws in Hong Kong is mooted, but until such time as it does occur, businesses need to be aware of their existing obligations. The PDPO, which was first enacted in 1996 and amended in 2012 and 2021, establishes data subject rights and regulates the collection, processing, holding and use of personal data through six data protection principles. The PDPO does not contain express provisions conferring extra-territorial application, however the PDPO sets out that the duties of a data user extend to its agents and contractors irrespective of where they are located.
A key element of the PDPO is that personal data must be collected for a lawful purpose and not excessive in relation to that purpose. A violation of this principle can result in a fine. In addition, a data user must not disclose a person’s personal data to a third party unless the disclosure is in accordance with one of the grounds set out in the PDPO.
Indirectly disclosing a person’s personal data to unauthorized persons without the consent of that individual is an offence, punishable by a fine of up to HK$500,000 and imprisonment of up to three years. Direct marketing practices remain a common focus for investigation and prosecution by the Privacy Commissioner.
The Hong Kong campus of Equinix gives customers a strategic digital infrastructure foothold in Asia’s most important business hub, providing direct network access to international and Chinese cloud providers and the world’s largest financial institutions. Our Hong Kong IBX data centers host the leading regional Internet exchange and are among the region’s most carrier-dense network hubs.