The protection of privacy in relation to personal data is the concern of every member of staff in the Hong Kong Observatory. We respect personal data and are committed to fully implementing and complying with the data protection principles and all relevant provisions of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.
Other records - including members of the public who make requests under the Code on Access to Information and the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance or make enquiries or complaints to the department.
Personal data of current or former employees are held for a range of employment-related purposes including appointments, integrity checking, postings and transfers, offer/renewal/extension of agreement, incremental credit, training and career development, applications for various job-related permits and licenses, revision of terms or conditions of service, promotion, discipline, continuation in or removal from office, pensions and provision of testimonials. Some personal particulars may be published in Government publications.
Personal data of consultants and contractors are held to facilitate the award of contracts and for the monitoring of contractors'/consultants' technical competence to fulfill the requirements of contracts awarded.
Personal data of members of the "Friends of the Observatory" are held for mailing of Friends Newsletter and other general publications of the HKO and for communication in connection with the organizations of activities.
Other records are kept for various purposes which vary according to the nature of the record, such as dealing with enquiries or complaints from members of the public.
The HKO will record visits to the HKO websites without collecting any personal identifiable information of users. Such general statistics are collected for the compilation of statistical reports and the diagnosis of problems with or concerning computer systems to help HKO improve the websites.
For different purposes and at different times you may be invited to provide personal data to the HKO through HKO websites on a voluntary basis. Personal information may include name, telephone number, mailing address and/or e-mail address. The HKO will specify the collection purpose and intended usage of your data when it invites you to provide such information and advise you how you may request access to or correction of the personal data provided.
Your personal data submitted online will be sent directly to the HKO. These personal data are secured and access to them is restricted to authorised personnel only.
To provide location-based weather service, the HKO websites would get user's location with user's authorisation, and present data that is most relevant to the user by retrieving information from servers of the HKO. User’s locations would not be transmitted out from the computer.
Cookies are employed by some webpages on the HKO websites to save user preferences on their computers. No personally identifiable information would be collected and saved. Users may opt for not accepting cookies by changing browser settings. Under such circumstances, user preferences could not be saved and user experience may be affected.
The Assistant Director of Development, Research and Administration is responsible for monitoring and supervising compliance with the Ordinance within the HKO.
The Departmental Secretary has been designated as the Personal Data (Privacy) Officer, responsible for handling requests made under the Ordinance for access to or correction of personal data.
Access request forms for access to/correction of personal data held by HKO.
Data access or correction requests may be made on a request form. The request forms are obtainable from the General Registry, Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters, 134A, Nathan Road, Kowloon. You may also download the forms from our web page. Requests should be addressed to Hong Kong Observatory, 134A, Nathan Road, Kowloon.
A charge will be made of photocopying personal data at the rate of $1.50 per photocopy or as otherwise provided for or approved by the Secretary for the Treasury.