Cross-border data transfer 'breakthrough'

Mainland citizens' personal information can be easily transferred from the Greater Bay Area to Hong Kong under a standard contract provided by the authorities.

The SAR's banking, credit reference and healthcare sectors with a strong demand for cross-boundary services will be the first to pilot the contract to be launched this month, which a lawmaker said would benefit both sides.

The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau yesterday said the "standard contract for the cross-boundary flow of personal information within the Greater Bay Area" allows data transfer in a safe and orderly manner.

Under the arrangement, individuals and organizations in mainland cities and Hong Kong can voluntarily adopt a standardized template and requirements for the cross-boundary data flow to be streamlined, the bureau said.

"The GBA standard contract will also lift the restriction on the volume of cross-boundary flow of personal data that a personal information processor can transfer under the mainland's framework on safe management of cross-boundary data flow and simplify the relevant assessment contents in applicable personal information protection impact assessment," it said.

A bureau spokesman said: "With the implementation of the GBA standard contract, the compliance costs of cross-boundary personal data flow for enterprises will be greatly reduced, thereby facilitating the provision of relevant cross-boundary services in the GBA and bringing convenience to the public and businesses."

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data welcomed the arrangement, saying cross-boundary data flow can facilitate GBA development and expedite the establishment of a "digital bay area."

"Given the close integration of cities within the GBA, and the increasing demand for cross-boundary flow of data between Hong Kong and other cities within the GBA, the privacy commissioner is extremely grateful to the staunch support of the Cyberspace Administration of China in facilitating the cross-boundary flow of personal information within the GBA," it said.

Technology and innovation sector lawmaker Duncan Chiu Tat-kun said there were a lot of restrictions on the export of mainland data in the past and the launch of the contract is a "major breakthrough."

Chiu said mainland medical data, including blood and gene statistics, can be transferred to Hong Kong and accelerate the process of becoming a science and innovation center.

The cross-border transfer of mainlanders' financial and credit records can also make it easier for them to buy financial products in Hong Kong, he said, adding that Hong Kong banks can see an increase in business from the arrangement.

And Hongkongers can send their medical records to the mainland when visiting mainland hospitals, Chiu said.

The cross-border data transfer will not cause leakage of Hongkongers' personal information, as only those who voluntarily apply for the service will have their information sent to the mainland, he assured.

Big data expert and former vice president of Alibaba Che Pinjue said the arrangement can facilitate Hong Kong becoming a data hub, adding many companies encountered difficulties when collecting mainland data previously.

Many international enterprises moved to Hong Kong targeting businesses in the GBA and they have always expected the SAR to become a data hub and help them get access to mainland data, he said.

Che expects the pilot implementation to last for three to six months, and the arrangement may expand from the GBA to other mainland cities.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com