Date: 13 March 2024
Privacy Commissioner’s Office Proactively Commences Inspection
of the Newly Established Children’s Biobank
of Hong Kong Hub of Paediatric Excellence,
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) noted that the biobank (Biobank) established by the Hong Kong Hub of Paediatric Excellence of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (HKHOPE) is about to be launched and the Biobank is envisaged to store at least 800,000 biological samples for use by members of the HKHOPE and other research teams.
Given that the Biobank would store vast amounts of biological samples which involve personal data of minors, including their health conditions, and that biological samples are personal data of sensitive nature, the PCPD decided to invoke its power under section 36 of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO) to proactively inspect the Biobank of HKHOPE. The inspection is carried out with a view to understanding the ways and means through which HKHOPE would collect, hold, use and process children’s biological samples and related personal data, as well as the security measures adopted throughout the process, to ensure the protection of personal data privacy.
Through this inspection, the PCPD will make practical recommendations to HKHOPE to assist them in complying with the provisions of the PDPO.
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