The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) was established in 1996 as an independent statutory body under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO) to monitor, supervise and promote compliance with the ordinance.

As a pioneer in the field of protection of personal data privacy in the Asia-Pacific Region, the PCPD played host to the 26th Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities Forum in Hong Kong in November 2006 for the first time. The forum, attended by representatives of international and local authorities, passed important resolutions to strengthen international cooperation to forge personal data protection.

Capitalising on the rich experience it gained over the past 10 years, the PCPD published a book entitled Data Protection Principles in the PDPO — from the Privacy Commissioner's Perspective. The book was well received in Hong Kong and abroad. The PCPD is carrying out a comprehensive review of the PDPO.

During the year, the PCPD published a report on the investigation into the leaking of personal data on the Internet relating to complaints made against the Police by the public. The office also joined forces with professional bodies of information technology to launch an Information Security Enhancement Campaign to drive home the importance of personal data protection, and published a document entitled 'Recommended Procedures for IT Practitioners on Personal Data Handling'. Other initiatives taken to promote awareness and understanding of the PDPO included the Hotel Privacy Campaign, the holding of seminars on the PDPO for government officials and the publication of 'Guidance on Property Management Practices'.

In 2006, the PCPD handled 14 614 enquiries and 1 025 complaints, and conducted 79 compliance checks in relation to the PDPO. Of the 66 enforcement notices issued, eight non-compliance cases were referred to the Police for prosecution.