Privacy Commissioner: New Property Search Rules Clarify System, Protect Privacy
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data Chung Lai-ling (鍾麗玲) appeared on RTHK's radio programme "The Millennium" on Friday, expressing support for the government's new property search arrangements. The government announced eight pieces of subsidiary legislation related to the property rights registration system last month. The new arrangements require searches to meet specified purposes, with nine such purposes now listed. Chung described the changes as a three-way win: clearer system, better privacy protection for property owners, and reduced risk of searchers accidentally violating the law .
Key Points
- The nine specified purposes include property transactions and valuation of land or property, providing concrete and clear guidance for searchers
- Searchers must use information obtained only for the purpose for which it was requested, with misuse prohibited
- The Privacy Commissioner's Office received 20 complaints about suspected misuse of Land Registry data over the past five years
- Misuse cases include doxxing property owners on social media and owners receiving promotional letters after their data was obtained
- Six such complaints were received this year alone, indicating a deteriorating trend
- Under Section 61 of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, media workers collecting information receive no blanket exemption and must still collect data legally and fairly
- The new arrangement and Section 61 both require public interest as a prerequisite for news-related data use
Why It Matters
The new rules establish clearer boundaries for property information searches in Hong Kong, directly affecting lawyers, real estate professionals, journalists, and anyone who needs to access Land Registry records. With complaints about data misuse on the rise, the arrangements aim to strike a balance between protecting personal privacy and maintaining legitimate access to public land records .
The new rules establish clearer boundaries for property information searches in Hong Kong, directly affecting lawyers, real estate professionals, journalists, and anyone who needs to access Land Registry records. With complaints about data misuse on the rise, the arrangements aim to strike a balance between protecting personal privacy and maintaining legitimate access to public land records .