Matching Procedures

During the reporting year, the Privacy Commissioner received seven new applications for approval to carry out matching procedures and nine requests for re-approval of matching procedures undertaken in previous years.

All seven new applications were requested by public sector organizations. Upon examination, one was found not to be a matching procedure under the Ordinance, and one was withdrawn. The remaining five applications were approved subject to conditions imposed by the Privacy Commissioner under
the Ordinance.

REQUESTING PARTIES	RELATED MATCHING PROCEDURES THAT WERE APPROVED
Home Affairs Department (two requests)	To determine eligibility for Village Representative Election by comparing personal data collected by the Home Affairs Department for the purposes of compiling the register of electors with personal data collected by : - (1) the Housing Department for the purposes of public housing management, and (2) the Immigration Department for the purposes of registration and recording of particulars of persons.
Social Welfare Department	To prevent recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance ("CSSA") from underreporting their earnings by comparing personal data collected by the Social Welfare Department under the CSSA Scheme with personal data collected by the Labour Department under the Work Trial Scheme.
Social Welfare Department	To prevent fraud and abuse of social security benefits in relation to rent payment for CSSA households residing in public rental housing by comparing personal data collected by the Social Welfare Department for the purposes of CSSA applications with personal data collected by the Housing Department for the purposes of public housing management.
Inland Revenue Department	To ensure all income from let properties are properly assessed of tax by the Inland Revenue Department by comparing personal data collected from taxpayers under the Inland Revenue Ordinance with personal data collected from landlords under the Stamp Duty Ordinance.