Media Statements
Media Statement - Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong, China and United Kingdom Information Commissioner Sign MOU UK and Hong Kongregulatory authoritieswill work together when citizens data is at risk
Date:2 August 2020
Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong, China and
The Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong, China Mr Stephen Kai-yi WONG (PCPD) and the United Kingdom Information Commissioner Ms Elizabeth Denham CBE (ICO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 29 July 2020.
The MOU, signed virtually with a video conferencing aid, sets out the commitment of PCPD and ICO to fostering closer collaboration and cooperation in personal data protection in the two common law jurisdictions.
Under the MOU, the two regulatory bodies will engage in the sharing of experiences and exchange of best practices, collaborate on joint investigations, enforcement actions and research initiatives where opportunities arise and share information on regulatory approaches and activities. It lays the basis of the enhanced work relationship for the two authorities to go forward in matters of mutual regulatory interest.
The Hong Kong Privacy Commissioner Mr Stephen Kai-yi WONG said, “Looking ahead, although the end of my term as the Privacy Commissioner is just around the corner, I am confident that I have also left behind the wisdom and expertise that I managed to pick from Commissioner Denham and her team, in particular, the dutiful discharge of her multiple responsibilities as an independent regulator, namely those of a fair enforcer, resourceful educator and inclusive facilitator, and upholding the values and practices of the Rule of Law with which Commissioner Denham and I are familiar.”
He continued, “The signing of this MOU between ICO and PCPD heralds a significant milestone for our concerted commitment and our joint forces in the areas specified in the MOU, with a view to protecting personal data as regulatory authorities in the interest of all stakeholders, and striking the right balance between privacy and free flow of information.”
The UK Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said: “Commissioner Wong has been a valued colleague and I pay tribute to both his vision and that of his expert team who the ICO will continue to work closely with. The PCPD’s focus on clear practical guidance has been particularly helpful as we have looked at how to make GDPR understandable to businesses and consumers. I welcome the PCPD’s continued commitment to creating a global regulatory environment with clear and consistently high standards of data protection and privacy.
She continued: “The MOU forms the basis of the working relationship between our authorities going forward in matters of mutual regulatory interest. It will help us collaborate on investigations, enforcement or research projects, more easily share intelligence on live issues.
The MoU will demonstrate to the outside world that the UK and Hong Kong data protection authorities will work together where necessary when our citizens’ data is at risk.
Finally I wish Commissioner Wong every success for the future and look forward to a continued partnership with the PCPD.”
Download the MOU
The Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong, China Mr Stephen Kai-yi WONG (right) and the United Kingdom Information Commissioner Ms Elizabeth Denham CBE (left) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 29 July 2020 in a virtual signing ceremony.
About the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong, China (PCPD)
The PCPD is an independent statutory body in Hong Kong set up to promote, monitor and supervise compliance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486), Laws of Hong Kong. Its mission is to secure the protection of privacy of individuals with respect to personal data through promotion, monitoring and supervision of compliance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. Visit PCPD.org.hk for more information.
About the United Kingdom’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
The ICO is the UK’s independent regulator for data protection and information rights law, upholding information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.
Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong, China and
United Kingdom Information Commissioner Sign MOU
UK and Hong Kong regulatory authorities will work together when citizens’ data is at risk
The Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong, China Mr Stephen Kai-yi WONG (PCPD) and the United Kingdom Information Commissioner Ms Elizabeth Denham CBE (ICO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 29 July 2020.The MOU, signed virtually with a video conferencing aid, sets out the commitment of PCPD and ICO to fostering closer collaboration and cooperation in personal data protection in the two common law jurisdictions.
Under the MOU, the two regulatory bodies will engage in the sharing of experiences and exchange of best practices, collaborate on joint investigations, enforcement actions and research initiatives where opportunities arise and share information on regulatory approaches and activities. It lays the basis of the enhanced work relationship for the two authorities to go forward in matters of mutual regulatory interest.
The Hong Kong Privacy Commissioner Mr Stephen Kai-yi WONG said, “Looking ahead, although the end of my term as the Privacy Commissioner is just around the corner, I am confident that I have also left behind the wisdom and expertise that I managed to pick from Commissioner Denham and her team, in particular, the dutiful discharge of her multiple responsibilities as an independent regulator, namely those of a fair enforcer, resourceful educator and inclusive facilitator, and upholding the values and practices of the Rule of Law with which Commissioner Denham and I are familiar.”
He continued, “The signing of this MOU between ICO and PCPD heralds a significant milestone for our concerted commitment and our joint forces in the areas specified in the MOU, with a view to protecting personal data as regulatory authorities in the interest of all stakeholders, and striking the right balance between privacy and free flow of information.”
The UK Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said: “Commissioner Wong has been a valued colleague and I pay tribute to both his vision and that of his expert team who the ICO will continue to work closely with. The PCPD’s focus on clear practical guidance has been particularly helpful as we have looked at how to make GDPR understandable to businesses and consumers. I welcome the PCPD’s continued commitment to creating a global regulatory environment with clear and consistently high standards of data protection and privacy.
She continued: “The MOU forms the basis of the working relationship between our authorities going forward in matters of mutual regulatory interest. It will help us collaborate on investigations, enforcement or research projects, more easily share intelligence on live issues.
The MoU will demonstrate to the outside world that the UK and Hong Kong data protection authorities will work together where necessary when our citizens’ data is at risk.
Finally I wish Commissioner Wong every success for the future and look forward to a continued partnership with the PCPD.”
Download the MOU
The Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong, China Mr Stephen Kai-yi WONG (right) and the United Kingdom Information Commissioner Ms Elizabeth Denham CBE (left) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 29 July 2020 in a virtual signing ceremony.
About the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong, China (PCPD)
The PCPD is an independent statutory body in Hong Kong set up to promote, monitor and supervise compliance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486), Laws of Hong Kong. Its mission is to secure the protection of privacy of individuals with respect to personal data through promotion, monitoring and supervision of compliance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. Visit PCPD.org.hk for more information.
About the United Kingdom’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
The ICO is the UK’s independent regulator for data protection and information rights law, upholding information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.
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