Media Statements
Media Statement - Hong Kong and Singapore Sign MOU to StrengthenCooperation in Personal Data Protection
Hong Kong and Singapore Sign MOU to Strengthen
Cooperation in Personal Data Protection
Tokyo, Japan – 31 May 2019: Hong Kong’s and Singapore’s data protection authorities today furthered their warm relations by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation in personal data protection in the two jurisdictions.
The MOU was signed by Mr Stephen Kai-yi Wong, Hong Kong’s Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data and Mr Yeong Zee Kin, Deputy Commissioner of Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) in Tokyo at the side-lines of the 51st Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) Forum.
Under the MOU, the Hong Kong SAR’s Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) and Singapore’s PDPC[1] will engage in the cross-sharing of experiences, exchange of best practices, joint research projects and information exchange involving potential or ongoing data breach investigations.
Mr Stephen Kai-yi Wong, Privacy Commissioner of the PCPD said, “The MOU marks the joint efforts of Hong Kong and Singapore in strengthening the cooperation between the two jurisdictions and provides a solid framework for promoting collaborative initiatives and information exchange in personal data protection. It also clearly demonstrates the PCPD’s strong commitment to stepping up cross-jurisdictional collaboration in exchange of expertise and information so as to better prepare Hong Kong to enter into the new ‘post-digital’ era.”
Mr Tan Kiat How, Commissioner of the PDPC said, “A strong collaborative effort with our counterparts in Hong Kong and other jurisdictions is needed to advance personal data protection and prepare for a Digital Economy. We look forward to strengthening our working relations to enable all parties to collectively benefit from best practices, research and the sharing of information.”
Hong Kong and Singapore continue to enjoy warm working relations in global personal data protection, with both regulatory authorities being active members of international organisations such as APPA and the Global Privacy Enforcement Network. The MOU was the outcome of an initial discussion between the two authorities in September 2018, to explore opportunities to strengthen the partnership and develop bilateral platforms for the advancement of personal data protection.
As part of the enhanced cooperation, Hong Kong and Singapore are also releasing a jointly-developed Guide to Data Protection by Design (DPbD) for ICT Systems. This encourages organisations to pro-actively incorporate data protection considerations when developing ICT systems from the onset. The Guide assists organisations in applying DPbD principles through practical guidance for all phases of software development and good data protection practices for ICT systems.
The Guide is now available for download at www.PCPD.org.hk and www.PDPC.gov.sg.
About Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC)
The PDPC administers the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (PDPA) in Singapore, which aims to safeguard individuals’ personal data against misuse and promote proper management of personal data in organisations. The PDPA enhances Singapore’s competitiveness and strengthens our position as a trusted business hub, among the leading jurisdictions in data protection. For more information, please visit www.pdpc.gov.sg.
About the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong, China (PCPD)
The PCPD is an independent statutory body in Hong Kong set up first in the Region 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.
For media queries, please contact:
The MOU was signed by Mr Stephen Kai-yi Wong, Hong Kong’s Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data and Mr Yeong Zee Kin, Deputy Commissioner of Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) in Tokyo at the side-lines of the 51st Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) Forum.
Under the MOU, the Hong Kong SAR’s Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) and Singapore’s PDPC[1] will engage in the cross-sharing of experiences, exchange of best practices, joint research projects and information exchange involving potential or ongoing data breach investigations.
Mr Stephen Kai-yi Wong, Privacy Commissioner of the PCPD said, “The MOU marks the joint efforts of Hong Kong and Singapore in strengthening the cooperation between the two jurisdictions and provides a solid framework for promoting collaborative initiatives and information exchange in personal data protection. It also clearly demonstrates the PCPD’s strong commitment to stepping up cross-jurisdictional collaboration in exchange of expertise and information so as to better prepare Hong Kong to enter into the new ‘post-digital’ era.”
Mr Tan Kiat How, Commissioner of the PDPC said, “A strong collaborative effort with our counterparts in Hong Kong and other jurisdictions is needed to advance personal data protection and prepare for a Digital Economy. We look forward to strengthening our working relations to enable all parties to collectively benefit from best practices, research and the sharing of information.”
Hong Kong and Singapore continue to enjoy warm working relations in global personal data protection, with both regulatory authorities being active members of international organisations such as APPA and the Global Privacy Enforcement Network. The MOU was the outcome of an initial discussion between the two authorities in September 2018, to explore opportunities to strengthen the partnership and develop bilateral platforms for the advancement of personal data protection.
As part of the enhanced cooperation, Hong Kong and Singapore are also releasing a jointly-developed Guide to Data Protection by Design (DPbD) for ICT Systems. This encourages organisations to pro-actively incorporate data protection considerations when developing ICT systems from the onset. The Guide assists organisations in applying DPbD principles through practical guidance for all phases of software development and good data protection practices for ICT systems.
The Guide is now available for download at www.PCPD.org.hk and www.PDPC.gov.sg.
| ISSUED BY THE PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION COMMISSION, SINGAPORE AND THE PRIVACY COMMISSIONER FOR PERSONAL DATA, HONG KONG, CHINA |
About Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC)
The PDPC administers the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (PDPA) in Singapore, which aims to safeguard individuals’ personal data against misuse and promote proper management of personal data in organisations. The PDPA enhances Singapore’s competitiveness and strengthens our position as a trusted business hub, among the leading jurisdictions in data protection. For more information, please visit www.pdpc.gov.sg.
About the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong, China (PCPD)
The PCPD is an independent statutory body in Hong Kong set up first in the Region 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.
For media queries, please contact:
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Mr Eugene Neubronner Manager, Communications and Marketing Personal Data Protection Commission c/o Infocomm Media Development Authority DL: (65) 6211 1182 Email: eugene_neubronner@imda.gov.sg |
Mr Ivan Chan Head of Communications and Education Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong DL: (852) 2877 7170 Email: ivan.chan@pcpd.org.hk |
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Mr Hian Hou Chua Deputy Director, Communications and Marketing Personal Data Protection Commission c/o Infocomm Media Development Authority DL: (65) 6202 4956 Email: chua_hian_hou@imda.gov.sg |
Ms Joanna Lam Manager, Communications and Education Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong DL: (852) 3423 6663 Email: joanna.lam@pcpd.org.hk |
[1] Since 2017, PDPC is administratively set up within the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore, and continues to play the main role in administering and enforcing the Personal Data Protection Act in Singapore.
Photos:
Mr Stephen Kai-yi Wong, Hong Kong’s Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (left) and Mr Yeong Zee Kin, Deputy Commissioner of Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) (right), sign a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in personal data protection in the two jurisdictions today (31 May 2019) in Tokyo at the side-lines of the 51st Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities Forum, in the presence of Mr Leong Keng Thai, Executive Chairman, Data Protection Advisory Committee of PDPC (middle).
Click below to download:
- Guide to Data Protection by Design (DPbD) for ICT Systems
- Primer: Data Protection by Design for Software, Systems & Websites