[2008] 1 HKC
A
B
C
Shi Tao v Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data
(Administrative Appeals Board)
293
(a) the use of the data is for any of the purposes referred to in subsection (1)
(and whether or not the data are held for any of those purposes); and
(b) the application of those provisions in relation to such use would be likely to
prejudice any of the matters referred to in that subsection, and in any
proceedings against any person for a contravention of any of those provisions
it shall be a defence to show that he had reasonable grounds for believing that
failure to so use the data would have been likely to prejudice any of the
matters.’
25. Section 38 gives the Commissioner the power to carry out
investigation into complaints:
‘Where the Commissioner —
(a) receives a complaint; or
D
(b) has reasonable grounds to believe that an act or practice —
(i) has been done or engaged in, or is being done or engaged in, as the case
may be, by a data user;
E
(ii) relates to personal data; and
(iii) may be a contravention of a requirement under this Ordinance,
then —
F
G
H
(i) where paragraph (a) is applicable, the Commissioner shall, subject to section
39, carry out an investigation in relation to the relevant data user to ascertain
whether the act or practice specified in the complaint is a contravention of a
requirement under this Ordinance;
(ii) where paragraph (b) is applicable, the Commissioner may carry out an
investigation in relation to the relevant data user to ascertain whether the act or
practice referred to in that paragraph is a contravention of a requirement under
this Ordinance.’
26. Section 39(1)(d) provides that the Commissioner may refuse to
carry out or continue an investigation initiated by a complaint if none of
the following conditions is fulfilled:
‘(i) either —
I
(A) the complainant (or, if the complainant is a relevant person, the individual
in respect of whom the complainant is such a person) was resident in Hong
Kong; or
(B) the relevant data user was able to control, in or from Hong Kong. the
collection, holding, processing or use of the personal data concerned,