Key facts
- Privacy Commissioner Ada Chung Lai-ling backed a proposed overhaul of rules tightening access to land records.
- Chung said journalists have no exemption under the Privacy Ordinance when collecting data.
- Chung said certain safeguards apply to how the data is subsequently used.
- Complaints over information misuse appear to be worsening, according to the report.
Hong Kong's Privacy Commissioner Ada Chung Lai-ling backed a proposed overhaul of rules governing access to land records, warning that journalists have no exemption when collecting data, the South China Morning Post reported on November 6, 2026. Chung said on Friday that journalists do not enjoy an exemption under the Privacy Ordinance when gathering information, even though certain safeguards apply to how the data is subsequently used.
The commissioner's support comes as complaints over information misuse appear to be worsening, according to the report. The proposed changes would tighten access to the city's land records.