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Hong Kong

Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO)

Asia🔵 Substantial
Compliance Score
50%
7 Addressed
6 Partial
1 None

Authority

Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD)

Overview

Hong Kong's PDPO, in effect since 1996, is Asia's oldest data protection law. The PCPD is an active regulator that enforces compliance through investigations, enforcement notices, and guidance.

14-Topic Coverage Analysis

Data Protection Authority
Addressed
Consent Requirements
Addressed
Data Subject Rights
Addressed
Cross-Border Transfer
Addressed
Breach Notification
Partial
DPO Requirements
Partial
Children's Data
Partial
Penalties & Enforcement
Addressed
Sector-Specific Rules
Partial
Cookie/Tracking
Addressed
AI & Automated Decisions
None
Data Localisation
Partial
Significant Data Fiduciary
Partial
Government Data
Addressed

? Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary data protection law in Hong Kong?+
Hong Kong is governed by the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO). The law is enforced by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD). According to our analysis, the country has a Substantial level of data protection framework.
Does Hong Kong require a Data Protection Officer (DPO)?+
Partially. The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO) may require a DPO only for specific high-risk organizations or sectors. It is not universally mandatory for all businesses.
What are the data localisation rules in Hong Kong?+
Partially. While Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO) may not mandate general localisation, specific sectoral laws (like finance or health) might require data to be stored locally.
What are the breach notification requirements in Hong Kong?+
The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO) has limited breach notification requirements. It may only require notifying the regulator, without mandating notification to affected individuals.