The privacy proposals to the Companies Registry’s search function are a step too far, limiting journalists’ ability to research without hindrance, says a South China Morning Post op-ed. “The government’s concern with protection of privacy is understandable, but it shouldn’t unduly hinder legitimate professional inquiry by journalists and others,” it states. “Restrictions on the free flow of information, or red tape that might inhibit it, could do a great deal more harm to Hong Kong in the long run.” Former Hong Kong Privacy Commissioner Allan Chiang made the original proposal, which would require those searching the company registry officially denote their reasons for accessing the information so as to better protect the financial privacy of those within the database.
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