Macau and Hong Kong join forces to strengthen personal data protection

The Personal Data Protection Bureau (DSPDP) and Hong Kong’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to deepen cooperation on personal data privacy protection and jointly promote digital economic development across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.

According to their joint statement, the MOU establishes collaboration in several key areas, including the exchange of best practices and experiences in personal data law enforcement, raising public awareness, and conducting joint training sessions.

Ada Chung, Hong Kong’s Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, highlighted the strategic importance of the agreement yesterday.
“The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding between the PCPD and Macau’s DSPDP further strengthens the ties between the supervisory authorities of both regions,” she said.

Chung added that the two agencies will act as “super contact agents” and “super value-added agents” to address privacy challenges in the digital age, stimulate the regional digital economy, and contribute to the country’s broader development.

Ken Yang, DSPDP director, emphasized the agreement’s wider significance.
“Amid the global wave of digitalization, new challenges continue to emerge in personal data protection,” Yang said.

“This MOU supports healthy and orderly digital economic growth, harnesses the value of data, and injects new momentum into the Greater Bay Area’s economic and social development – all while safeguarding personal data.”

For Macau, the agreement promises enhanced protection of personal data amid the growing use of technology, improved regulatory cooperation to prevent data breaches, and stronger legal enforcement in the event of violations.