HKDATA offers high-speed mobile data plans with unlimited calls, texts and MMS for phones based in Hong Kong or other regions worldwide. Furthermore, there are add-ons to meet specific country needs (Mainland China, USA, Australia & New Zealand), with maximum monthly data usage exceeding 15GB. There is no activation fee and you can start using your plan instantly! My Account Portal offers users a convenient way to check their balance and manage their plan as well as purchasing prepaid SIM cards online. These options include the SmarTone Lite Unlimited Data Package for Hong Kong and Mainland China (HK$ 80) which has a FUP of 12GB daily at 4G speed before usage is reduced to 128kbps; an add-on with similar rates that caps at midnight local time instead; as well as a plan with similar rates but no FUP or throttling (HK$ 78); and finally, one with no FUP or throttling restrictions at all: 48″. Tethering and P2P use are not permitted on these plans; however, Facetime, WhatsApp, and Skype can still be utilized without restrictions. Furthermore, SmarTone “All-in-One” SIMs for HK$ 98 offer data use in mainland China at slower 3G speeds of 3.6 Mbps for up to one year of valid use.
When the PDPO was first implemented in 1996, its definition of personal data remains strikingly similar to that found in GDPR and other legislation around the world. That includes information pertaining to an identifiable natural person – their name, identity card number or passport number, location data or any other factor which allows identification.
The PDPO contains numerous requirements designed to protect personal data against unauthorised processing, access, and disclosure. One such provision requires data users to obtain voluntary and express consent of data subjects before sending their personal data outside Hong Kong or using it for purposes not specified by PICS; this process is known as opt-in regime.
As more businesses that transfer personal data to Hong Kong are required by the PDPO to conduct a transfer impact assessment, in order to comply with it, more businesses that make transfers must conduct this procedure to comply with law. It compares protection available in a destination jurisdiction with what Hong Kong law offers – a six step framework exists which helps guide businesses through it all. Though not mandatory under PDPO rules, conducting one can serve as a useful way of showing statutory compliance obligations are being fulfilled.
