The Securities and Futures Commission and Hong Kong courts have penalized an insurance agent, a marketing company, and a licensed individual for improper handling of personal data under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, according to Norton Rose Fulbright’s Data Protection Report. Penalties varied from community service against the insurance agent for illicitly using data for marketing purposes, a $2,100 fine against the marketing company for failing to adhere to a consumer opt-out, and a 12-month SFC ban for a portfolio manager after transferring customer data to his new job. Since the marketing and insurance cases stemmed from complaints, the rulings show citizens are showing increased awareness to the privacy rights, the report states, along with stronger industry focus on the PDPO, as well as a foreshadow to future enforcement actions.
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