Hong Kong: A Data User’s New Obligations - Data Privacy Law That Has Teeth And Can Bite (Part 2)

Keywords: Privacy, Personal Data, Data Protection

Summary

The Personal Data (Privacy) Amendment Ordinance 2012 will come into force in Hong Kong on 1st October 2012.

This email legal update is part of our series of updates to discuss its implications for employers and other data users.

In this email legal update, we look at a data user's obligations when engaging third party processors such as payroll agents, pension administrators, external IT consultants, and waste disposal/ shredding companies. We also look at ways of discharging these new obligations.

So, if you engage any of these third party data processors, it is time to reconsider your current arrangements with them to ensure you are in compliance with the Amendment Ordinance!

Full Update

A number of significant changes will be brought about by the Personal Data (Privacy) Amendment Ordinance 2012 ("the Amendment Ordinance") when it comes into force on 1st October 2012.

In our legal update series, we will consider:

In this email legal update, we focus on a data user's obligations when engaging third party data processors.

1. The Current Position:

Under section 65 of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO), a data user is generally liable for the acts and practices of the agents it engages.

Data Protection Principle (DPP) 2 of the PDPO provides that personal data must not be kept longer than is necessary to fulfil the purpose for which the data are used.

DPP4 further provides that all reasonably practicable steps must be taken to ensure that personal data held are protected against unauthorised access, processing, erasure or other use.

If a data user's agent is found to have contravened these DPPs, then the wrongful act is treated as an act done by the data user as well as its agent. There is no apparent "escape hatch" for a data user to exonerate itself from the wrongful acts of its agent.

2. What is new?

2.1 DEFINITION OF "DATA PROCESSOR"

Under the Amendment Ordinance, the term "data processor" is introduced and is defined in the DPP set out in Schedule 1 as being a person who:

This is a very wide definition which includes various third party agents commonly used by companies such as payroll agents, pensions administrators, external IT consultants/ companies, survey companies and even companies engaged to dispose of/ shred documents.

2.2 NEW OBLIGATIONS UNDER DPP2 AND DPP4

Under the Amendment Ordinance, the new DPP2 and DPP4 now impose express requirements on a data user to ensure its agents are in compliance with these DPPs.

Under the new DPP2 and DPP4, data users must adopt "contractual or other means" to prevent:

It is important to note that these obligations are mandatory and they apply regardless of whether the data processor is based within or outside Hong Kong.

3. The Views of the Privacy Commissioner

3.1 CONTRACTUAL MEANS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH DPP2 AND DPP4

To help a data user discharge these new obligations, the Privacy Commissioner has suggested a number of provisions which a data user may include in its contract with a data processor. These include:

• a requirement for the data processor to adopt security measures to protect the data in question;
• a procedure for the data processor to return or destroy the data;
• a restriction on the use of such personal data by the data processor;
• a restriction or ban on the data processor from outsourcing or sub-contracting its data processing functions;
• a requirement for the data processor to immediately inform the data user in the event of any data leakage;
• a requirement for the data processor to adopt adequate data protection policies/ procedures and to provide adequate training to its staff to ensure compliance with such policies/ procedures.

Apart from the contractual provisions suggested above, a data user may also consider including an indemnity clause in its agreement with the data processor, so that it has a contractual remedy against the data processor for any losses it suffers as a result of any non-compliance by the data processor with the Amendment Ordinance.

3.2 OTHER MEANS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH DPP2 AND DPP4

The Privacy Commissioner has also suggested a number of "other means" for data users to consider to ensure compliance with the Amendment Ordinance. These include:

• selecting a reputable data processor with adequate means to protect the personal data in question;
• ensuring the data processor has adequate data protection policies/ procedures and that its staff are trained in this area; and
• inspecting the ways in which the data processor stores the personal data and the security measures implemented (e.g., through site visits).

There are also a number "best practices" which a data user should consider adopting. These include:

• adopting clear and transparent policies and procedures on data protection and security;
• ensuring any contractual arrangement with overseas data processors are enforceable in Hong Kong;
• documenting clearly the type of personal data provided or transferred to data processors; and
• considering whether to redact personal data (or any information which may identify an individual) before providing or transferring such data to data processors.

4. What does this mean?

4.1 CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE

A failure to comply with the new requirements with respect to data processors constitutes a breach of the DPPs.

Moreover, if any individual suffers any loss or damage caused by the wrongful act of the data user's agent, he or she may bring legal proceedings against the data user (and its agent) to seek compensation.

4.2 TIPS FROM US

We recommend that in adopting the means suggested above (particularly those set out in 3.2 above), a data user should keep a record of the steps it has taken to ensure compliance with DPP2 and DPP4.

In particular, it should be noted that the new DPP2 and DPP4 requires "all reasonably practicable steps" to be taken by a data user to comply with these requirements. A data user should have a reasonable defence under DPP2 and DPP4 if it can demonstrate to the Privacy Commissioner that it has taken all reasonably practicable steps to ensure it complies with such requirements by carefully selecting reputable data processors as its service providers and by including the necessary safeguards in its contracts with them.

5. Conclusion

To minimize the risk of non-compliance with the new requirements under the Amendment Ordinance, data users would be well advised to review and, where appropriate, strengthen their own policies and procedures for appointing data processors and overseeing their performance on an ongoing basis.

If you wish to learn more about the other changes to the PDPO, stayed tuned!

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