PJ is acting as ‘political police,’ says Jason Chao

Jason Chao

The Judiciary Police (PJ) has been acting as “a political police [force],” because the Personal Data Protection Office (GPDP) is “selling citizen’s privacy to police authorities,” says Jason Chao, vice-president of the New Macau Association.
The political activist yesterday leveled criticism at GPDP for its decision to authorize PJ officers to request the personal data of members of local associations through the Identification Services (DSI). “It’s outrageous,” he said, adding that, “rather than protecting citizens’ personal data, they’re selling Macau people’s privacy to the police.”
He added, “We know that, with a court order, DSI may have to release someone’s information to the police, on a case-by-case basis. But by connecting these two departments the PJ now has access to information stored by DSI, and this authorization is unacceptable.”
Furthermore, Chao accused the PJ of playing the role of “a political police [force],” as agents have been instructed to actively gather citizens’ comments on the Internet, especially those concerning politics.
“The PJ has been active in [monitoring] what citizens say about politics. PJ sends agents to where people deliver letters to the government,” he recalled, adding that GPDP’s decision gives Macau’s Judiciary police additional power to monitor residents.
The activist fears that GPDP’s move may prompt people to think twice before joining an association. CP