COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
The code sets out the types of government information to which the public has access. It also lists categories of exemptions to ensure appropriate confidentiality of sensitive information held by the Government, and information involving personal privacy and commercial sensitivity.
The public may complain to the Ombudsman about government departments which fail to respond to requests for information in accordance with the code. It represents a major step in meeting public expectations of greater transparency from the Government.
Protection for Privacy with respect to Personal Data
The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance was enacted on August 3, 1995 to protect the privacy of individuals in relation to personal data. The core provisions of the ordinance came into force on December 20, 1996. The ordinance provides for the appointment of a Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data to monitor, supervise and promote compliance with the ordinance.
In 1999, the Privacy Commissioner's Office handled 15 243 enquiries and 541 complaints and conducted 160 compliance checks in relation to the ordinance. The office undertook a variety of activities to promote compliance with and awareness of the ordinance, including seminars, Announcements of Public Interest on television and roadshows. It also published a prescribed form for making data access requests, and a variety of guidance materials in relation to identity card numbers, consumer credit data and privacy protection on the Internet.
Information Technology
The Chief Executive set out his vision on information technology in his 1997 Policy Address and pledged to position Hong Kong as a leading city in the world for the development and application of Information Technology (IT).
Electronic Service Delivery
To implement the pledge, the Government has launched a series of initiatives, including the development of an information infrastructure with an open, common interface accessible throughout Hong Kong; promotion of information technology applications using the common interface in both the public and private sectors; and commissioning of pilot projects that make innovative use of the developing infrastructure.
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 — or the Electronic Service Delivery (ESD) scheme. ESD is an innovative scheme for the delivery of public services to the community electronically 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Public access to the ESD will be through the Internet using personal computers at home or in the office or such facilities installed by the Government in public places, or through other electronic means. The scheme will act as a catalyst for the development of electronic commerce in Hong Kong.
Through open tendering, the Government awarded a contract to a private operation in November for the development of the ESD system with a view to launching the first phase of the scheme in October 2000. Some examples of public services to be delivered under the first phase of the ESD scheme are: submission of
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