Privacy Watchdog Gives Tests Clean Bill Of Health

The Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data says people who take up free coronavirus tests under a city-wide scheme that due to start next week don't have to worry about having their data misused.

Opposition lawmakers and some medics had expressed concerns about the privacy implications of the scheme, which will involve mainland companies and specialists.

The commissioner said it had assessed the programme and found that it complied with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.

The programme would collect participants' names, identity card numbers and phone numbers but this was "necessary but not excessive, in line with the principle of personal data minimisation and is commensurate with and proportionate to the purpose".

The commissioner added: "There is no information showing that the testing itself involves the analysis of the individuals’ DNA information.

"The [commissioner] also notes that the government has stated that the test kits cannot be used for DNA identification or sequencing and no DNA information of the participants is collected during the testing process."

The commissioner said the government had promised that no personal data, including specimens and test results, would be transferred outside Hong Kong, and "having examined available information relating to the programme, the [commissioner] notes that there is no information suggesting otherwise".

The commissioner also noted that the government had promised to erase all data collected one month after the conclusion of the scheme.