Introduction

Personal Data (Privacy) Advisory Committee and other Committees

During the reporting period, the PCPD continued to receive invaluable advice and support from the Personal Data (Privacy) Advisory Committee, established under the PD(P)O, and from various task-orientated committees the Privacy Commissioner has set up. Advice and support was rendered by members of the various committees both at meetings of the committees concerned, and on an individual basis, with respect to specific issues that have arisen from time to time.

Personal Data (Privacy) Advisory Committee

Section 11(1) of the PD(P)O provides for the establishment of the Personal Data (Privacy) Advisory Committee to advise the Privacy Commissioner on matters relevant to the privacy of individuals in relation to personal data or otherwise relevant to the operation of the PD(P)O. The Privacy Commissioner is Chairman of the Personal Data (Privacy) Advisory Committee and its other members are appointed by the Secretary for Home Affairs.

Personal Data (Privacy) Advisory Committee

Chairman Mr. Raymond Tang Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data

Members     Dr. Chan Wai-kwan Assistant Director, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce Mr. Kevin Lau Editorial Writer, Ming Pao Mr. Mark Lin Solicitor, Lovells       Mr. Roger Luk, J.P. Managing Director & Deputy Chief Executive, Hang Seng Bank Limited Ms. Carlye Tsui, J.P. Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Institute of Directors and Managing Director, Omnilink Enterprises Limited Professor Raymond Wacks Professor of Law and Legal Theory, University of Hong Kong       Mr. Yeung Kwok-keung, J.P. Managing Director, EC Com Limited Mrs. Nancy Hui Principal Assistant Secretary for Home Affairs Mr. Joseph Young (Secretary) Admin & Finance Manager, PCPD

During the period under review,the Committee met for the fourteenth and fifteenth time.

At the fourteenth meeting of the Committee held on 20 September 2001, members were advised of the development of the Draft Code of Practice on Monitoring and Personal Data Privacy at Work; and the preparation of the E-Privacy Handbook on Privacy Impact Assessments. Members were also presented with the results of a compliance check exercise on ¡§Blind¡¨ Recruitment Advertisements, a report on Public Registers and proposed amendments to the Code of Practice on Consumer Credit Data.

At the fifteenth meeting of the Committee held on 18 December 2001, members¡¦ opinions were sought on the consultation document in relation to the Draft Code of Practice on Monitoring and Personal Data Privacy at Work. Other matters discussed by the Committee included a progress update on the proposed Amendment Bill to the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.

Copies of all agenda, papers and minutes of meetings of the Personal Data (Privacy) Advisory Committee and the committees established by the Privacy Commissioner are available on request and payment of a minimal fee to cover photocopying costs.

Standing Committee on Technological Developments

By virtue of section 8(1)(f) of the PD(P)O, the Privacy Commissioner is required to undertake research into, and monitor developments in, the processing of data and computer technology in order to take account of any likely adverse effects such developments may have on the privacy of individuals in relation to personal data. To assist the Privacy Commissioner to carry out this function, a Standing Committee on Technological Developments has been established.

During the period under review, one meeting of the Committee was held on 13 September 2001 in which members were consulted on the preparation of the Draft Code of Practice on Monitoring and Personal Data Privacy at Work. Another matter discussed by the Committee was the preparation of the E-Privacy Handbook on Privacy Impact Assessment.