Hong Kong privacy watchdog backs tighter rules on access to land records

Hong Kong’s privacy watchdog has backed a proposed overhaul of rules to tighten access to land records, warning that journalists have no exemption when collecting data as complaints over information misuse appear to be worsening.

Privacy Commissioner Ada Chung Lai-ling said on Friday that journalists do not enjoy an exemption under the Privacy Ordinance when gathering information, even though certain safeguards apply to how the data is subsequently used.

“The Privacy Ordinance does provide an exemption on the use of personal data for journalistic activities, which means journalists do not need the prior consent of the data subject before publishing or broadcasting the relevant data. However, the prerequisite is that the publication or broadcast must be in the public interest,” she told a radio programme.