ENG-2006 — Page 417

Communications, the Media and Information Technology | 349

The GIC provides 24-hour news updates, consultation papers and topical information to enable the public to keep track of local developments and important announcements. It is also a portal to a wide range of electronic services of various departments and agencies, including the submission of tax returns, appointment booking service for the Hong Kong Smart Identity Card replacement exercise, payment of government fees and the purchase of government publications.

Code on Access to Information

The HKSAR believes in an open and accountable government. To ensure reasonable access to government information, an administrative Code on Access to Information now applies to all government bureaux and departments, which are committed to making information available to the public.

The code provides for a set of rules to meet public expectation of greater government transparency. It sets out the types of government information to which the public has access and lists categories of exemptions to ensure appropriate protection of confidential and sensitive information held by the Government and information involving personal privacy and commercial sensitivity. The public may complain to The Ombudsman about government bureaux and departments that fail to respond to requests for information in accordance with the code.

Protection of Privacy with Respect to Personal Data

The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance is designed to protect the privacy of individuals in relation to their personal data. The ordinance provides for the appointment of a Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data to monitor, supervise and promote compliance with the ordinance.

Information Technology

Digital 21 Strategy

The Government is committed to keeping Hong Kong at the forefront of information and communications technology (ICT) development. The Digital 21 Strategy, first instituted in 1998 and updated in 2001 and 2004, is the guideline for ICT development in Hong Kong. Since the launch of the strategy, good progress has been made in bringing about the right environment, infrastructure, skills and culture to encourage the development and adoption of ICT by the whole community.

To keep in step with the advances in technology and the changing needs of the community, the Government embarked on the latest round of review of the Digital 21 Strategy in 2006. The consultation document on the draft 2007 Digital 21 Strategy was released in mid-October for public consultation. After considering the public's comments, the Government will publish the 2007 Digital 21 Strategy during the first half of 2007.

Driving E-business

The Government is committed to providing the necessary infrastructure for e-business to prosper. To do that, the Electronic Transactions Ordinance (ETO) was