Q:I am a cafe owner. As many counterfeit one thousand dollar banknotes have appeared in the market recently, can I register customers' identity card numbers for avoidance of losses incurred by counterfeit banknotes?
A: Your enquiry relates to the collection of identity card numbers. According to the Code of Practice on the Identity Card Number and other Personal Identifiers ("the Code") issued by the Privacy Commissioner, in general, a data user cannot compel an individual to provide his ID card number except with legal authority. Moreover, identity card numbers should not be collected, unless such collection is permitted under the Code. You cannot collect customers' identity card numbers for avoidance of getting suspected counterfeit banknotes. If you have any suspicion of the genuineness of a banknote, you should contact the Police.