COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
The first Privacy Commissioner, Mr Stephen Lau Ka-man, was appointed with effect from August 1, 1996. He is assisted by a staff of about 30. In 1998, the Privacy Commissioner's Office handled some 22 861 enquiries and 392 complaints and conducted some 18 compliance checks in relation to the ordinance. The office undertook a variety of activities to promote compliance, awareness and understanding of the ordinance, including the approval and issuing of two Codes of Practice: one on the Identity Card Number and other Personal Identifiers and the other on Consumer Credit Data. It also published a variety of new guidance materials, including two guides in relation to the protection of privacy and the Internet, one for individuals who surf the Internet and one for organisations who maintain websites.
Information Technology
The Chief Executive set out his vision on information technology in his 1998 Policy Address and pledged to position Hong Kong as a leading city in the world for the development and application of IT.
Electronic Service Delivery
To implement the pledge, the government would, inter alia, develop an information infrastructure with an open, common interface accessible throughout the territory; promote information technology applications using the common interface in both the public and private sectors; and commission pilot projects that make innovative use of the developing infrastructure.
or
A major initiative in this area is to bring information technology into the daily life of the community through the introduction of on-line delivery of public services the Electronic Service Delivery scheme. The scheme will establish an information infrastructure with an open, common interface, through which the public can transact business with the government electronically, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Public access will be through a wide spectrum of means, such as personal computers at home or in the office or such facilities installed by the government in public places, interactive public pay phone or interactive television. The scheme will act as a catalyst for the development of electronic commerce in Hong Kong.
In June 1998, the private sector was invited to submit expressions of interest in implementing the Electronic Service Delivery scheme and 44 submissions were received. Tenders for the scheme will be called in January 1999. It is planned to award the tender in mid-to-late 1999 and implement the first phase of the scheme by the latter half of 2000.
Electronic Commerce
The government fully recognises the strategic importance of promoting the development of electronic commerce for Hong Kong's long-term benefit. Electronic commerce is set to transform world trade and the way businesses can operate. It will also generate new business opportunities, especially for the small and medium-sized enterprises in the global information economy. It will enable efficiency and productivity improvements, thereby strengthening Hong Kong's overall competitiveness in the international business arena. With its well-developed telecommunications infrastructure, Hong Kong should be well-placed to reap the full benefit that electronic commerce would bring.
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