Data hk (pronounced daa-HK) is the practice of collecting and analysing information using primary and secondary sources for both business operations as well as policy decisions made by government agencies. Companies use it for daily operations as well as policy decisions made by these bodies; governments utilise it to inform policy decisions about customers. Companies often utilize it to gain an in-depth knowledge of customers and markets by using this technique to detect trends, measure satisfaction levels, make recommendations for improvements, as well as combine this practice with other types of data sources for even deeper insights.
Hong Kong’s Personal Data Protection Policy (“PDPO”) defines personal data as any information pertaining to an identifiable individual – including name, address, phone number and email – such as names, phone numbers and email addresses as well as IP addresses or location data that can be linked back to an individual. Data users must inform individuals why they collect such information as well as how it will be used; this obligation extends to international transfers of personal information which are considered “uses” under the PDPO.
If a data exporter’s assessment of the destination jurisdiction’s laws and practices shows they do not meet the standards required under the PDPO, steps must be taken to bring up protection levels to that required standard. This may involve taking technical or contractual measures such as encryption, anonymisation or pseudonymisation while contracts might include provisions requiring audit, inspection reporting, beach notification compliance support co-operation as well as obligating data exporters to assist importers comply with PDPO.
Some countries have national data protection laws while others are signatories to international agreements that establish standards for collecting, holding, processing and using personal data. Data hk helps companies adhere to national or international laws applicable to them as well as reduce any risk of violations that could lead to penalties or compensation claims in local jurisdictions.
Although collecting data offers numerous advantages, its collection and processing carries risks and costs that need to be managed carefully. One way of mitigating those risks is adhering to good data governance principles and conducting transfer impact analyses on any planned transfers of personal information. Conducting a transfer impact assessment is relatively straightforward and the PDPO provides helpful guidelines on how to do it. Professional assessment should take into account both potential advantages and risks of transfer as well as relevant laws of both source and destination countries. An assessment provides businesses with all of the information needed to make informed decisions regarding a proposed data transfer, while helping mitigate any potential risks to business and employee reputations. Padraig Walsh is a partner at Tanner De Witt and leads their Data Privacy & Cyber Security Practice Group.