HK and Singapore privacy watchdogs renew agreement on personal data protection

Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data of Hong Kong (PCPD) and Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) have renewed their memorandum of understanding (MOU) to foster closer cooperation with an enhanced scope of collaboration in personal data protection.   According to the press release, the MOU was signed virtually on 13 July 2022 on the sidelines of the 57th Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) Forum by Ada Chung Lai Ling, Hong Kong’s privacy commissioner for personal data and Yeong Zee Kin, deputy commissioner of Singapore’s PDPC in the respective jurisdictions.

Under the MOU, the scope of collaboration between the two data protection authorities includes, among others, the exchange of information and sharing of best practices involving data protection policies and enforcement actions, coordination and provision of mutual assistance in joint investigations into cross-border personal data incidents, and collaboration in education and training.

Commenting on the agreement, Chung said: “As we hustle towards a world of increasingly globalised data, protection of personal data privacy is no longer confined within borders.”

“The MOU forms a solid basis of the working relationship between the two data protection authorities and establishes an enhanced framework for collaboration and practicable cooperation. I believe that an effective cooperation mechanism would be beneficial to both authorities on various fronts, ranging from enforcement actions to promotion and public education,” Chung added.

Meanwhile, Yeong said that with accelerated digitalisation, especially with COVID-19, The PDPC saw an exponential increase in data generation and data flows. “The PDPC strives to maximise the benefits of using data in a responsible manner by businesses for a thriving digital economy,” he added.

“Fostering a closer two relationship and maintaining a collaborative effort with our counterparts in Hong Kong and other jurisdictions is needed for advancing data protection in a globalised world. Our MOU will focus on the exchange of information, provision of mutual assistance in joint investigations and education,” Yeong said.

In May 2019, the two authorities signed a MOU to develop bilateral platforms for the advancement of personal data protection. Meanwhile the latest MOU signed demonstrates both authorities’ commitments to stepping up collaboration and cooperation in the protection of personal data privacy in new and emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and cross border data flows.

The PCPD is an independent body set up to oversee the implementation of and compliance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance in Hong Kong. The PCPD strives to ensure the protection of the privacy of individuals in relation to personal data through monitoring and supervising compliance with the Ordinance, enforcing its provisions and promoting the culture of protecting and respecting personal data.

While in Singapore, the PDPC was established to administer and enforce the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) in Singapore by serving as Singapore’s main authority in matters relating to personal data protection and representing the Singapore government internationally on data protection related issues. The PDPC aims to foster an environment of trust among businesses and customers by striving to balance the protection of individuals’ personal data with organisations’ need to use the data for legitimate purposes.

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