The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) published the Policy Statement on Facilitating Data Flow and Safeguarding Data Security in Hong Kong (Policy Statement) today (December 8) to set out the Government's management principles and key strategies on data flow and data security, and to put forward 18 specific action items.

     To drive the development of Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub, the Government adopts a data-driven approach in enhancing its digital capability. To support data-based development, the Chief Executive announced in this year's Policy Address that the Government will publish a document to facilitate data flow and strengthen data security.

     The Policy Statement aims at providing a holistic set of management principles and strategies on data governance, with the objectives of promoting the consolidation, application, opening up and sharing of data on one hand, and enhancing safeguards for data security and planning of related infrastructural facilities on the other, thereby fostering development and safety in a more co-ordinated manner.

     The Policy Statement puts forward an agenda of 18 specific action items in the following five broad categories to enhance data flow and data security, encompassing top-level design, policy formulation, legislation and guidelines, infrastructure support and cross-boundary data flow:

     A. Advancing digital government and enhancing data governance
     B. Formulating or updating policies, guidelines and laws
     C. Enhancing cybersecurity protection
     D. Bolstering digital infrastructure
     E. Promoting cross-boundary data flow

     The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, said, "Following the promulgation of the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint last year, the Policy Statement represents another key document on I&T development issued by the ITIB, focusing on two important components of data governance, namely data flow and data security. The Policy Statement outlines the Government's data governance philosophy at a macro level and sets out specific action items to lay a foundation for the furtherance of high-quality development of I&T, the digital economy and the smart city in Hong Kong."

     The Policy Statement as attached has been uploaded to the website of the ITIB (www.itib.gov.hk/en/index.html).

Ends/Friday, December 8, 2023
Issued at HKT 12:14

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