Potential amendments to the PDPO would impose much stricter controls on organisations that process personal data of individuals located in Hong Kong.

Key Points:

..On 20 January 2020 the Legislative Council debated potential changes to the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO), prompted by a Panel on Constitutional Affairs’ discussion paper, which outlines five material potential changes to the PDPO.

..Panel Members discussed the prospect of holding social media platforms that host “doxxing” content, and fail to remove it promptly, liable for such failure.

..The motion for a public consultation on the PDPO, with the aim of collecting views from the community on privacy and related issues failed to pass, though Members largely support a comprehensive amendment to the PDPO, meaning the paper is likely to be further refined by the PCPD and will lay the foundation to formally draft an amendment to the PDPO.

..Members also discussed the prospect of bringing Article 33 of the PDPO into force, which prohibits the transfer of personal data to places outside Hong Kong unless certain criteria are fulfilled, though no immediate change is expected.