Q: If telephone conversation between the hotline staff of government departments and members of the public will be recorded, how should the departments do to comply with the requirements of the Ordinance?
A: According to Data Protection Principle 1 of the Ordinance, a data user shall collect personal data in a lawful and fair manner. In general, when a call is connected, a recorded message can be played to inform the caller that the subsequent conversation may be recorded and state the purpose of recording. Privacy policies and practices in relation to the use, processing, retention and security of the personal data so collected have to be made. Moreover, if a department gathers telephone records to monitor the service of its staff, it shall formulate policy on telephone monitoring and ensure that its staff has been made known of the policy.