Google launches online safety programmes for HongKongers

Google has launched a series of programmes to promote online safety and youths’ digital and media literacy, done in collaboration with Hong Kong YouTube creators Pomato.

This comes as a recent survey by YouGov revealed that 58% of internet users in Hong Kong had experienced a personal data breach or knew someone who had, which 96% among them still persist with poor password practices, such as using the same passwords for multiple sites (87%), recycling passwords for up to 10 unique sites (52%) and sharing passwords with friends and family members (52%).

In response to this, Google has partnered with Pomato, local YouTube creators to launch a smarter digital city internet safety ambassadors programme, so as to promote online safety tips with creative video content. 

 “Being a YouTube creator, we rely on a safe internet to create videos and engage with our fans. We believe we have a responsibility to encourage our fans and others to adopt online safety best practices. It is our pleasure to be the Smarter Digital City Internet Safety Ambassador and join hands with Google in promoting online safety in Hong Kong,” said Tung Tung and Ching Yan Fu, artists of Pomato.

Furthermore, Google Hong Kong has launched Google Safety Centre in traditional Chinese that provides useful information and tips to stay safer with Google, for example, how to use Google Password Manager, Security Checkup, Safe Browsing, and more.

This comes as HKCERT’s report showed that cyber attack incidents in Hong Kong jumped 94% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2022. Experts have been pointing out the importance of creating strong and unique passwords to secure online accounts, together with password manager and two-step verification. Google Hong Kong’s online safety survey showed that 75% will change their password immediately in the face of a potential data breach, yet only 4% of Hong Kong internet users actively use a password manager.

In addition, Google has sponsored The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS), a local NGO to launch WebOrganic to upskill local underserved communities such as youth and elderly on media literacy through its social enterprise, to promote digital and media literacy among HongKongers.

“Information technology is one of the most important tools when it comes to building a good foundation for the young as it elevates their interest in learning and helps to develop their latent potential. With the grant funding from Google.org, HKCSS is able to power our social enterprise, WebOrganic, to enhance accessibility, digital inclusion, and ICT knowledge among young people,” said Chua Hoi Wai, JP, chief executive of The Hong Kong Council of Social Service.

“We recognise the need for an ongoing effort promoting digital literacy and arming people against misinformation, we will continue the program through 2023 and aim to engage at least 2,000 students, 800 parents, and 400 elderlies,” Chua added.

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