Personal Data Protection

Personal data on the smart identity card is fully protected by the following measures:

• The collection, storage, use and release of data are governed by the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, Registration of Persons Ordinance and Registration of Persons Regulations.
• Only authorised staff of Immigration Department have access to the relevant database, and there is no sharing of databases among government departments.
• Privacy Impact Assessments are conducted periodically.
• Holders can view the data on their cards through smart identity card readers installed at immigration self-service kiosks after their identities have been authenticated.
• Only minimal data are stored in the chip. More sensitive data are kept in back-end computer systems. All non-immigration applications of the smart identity card are voluntary options.
• The chip stores the data showing on the card face of the smart identity card and has segregated compartments to separate immigration applications from other non-immigration applications. For details of non-immigration applications, please visit the webpage of the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer: https://www.ogcio.gov.hk/en/our_work/strategies/initiatives/smart_id/.