HK, the gateway to Asia, is a world-leading international financial centre. This makes it an ideal location for data centres and colocation facilities. Equinix is proud to offer a variety of options in this dynamic market, with six sites located throughout the territory. These facilities provide a range of benefits for customers, including proximity to international markets, the ability to access leading IT vendors and the option to leverage global networks.
A data transfer may be subject to data protection laws in Hong Kong if the data involves personal information of an identifiable natural person and it is processed within the territory or by a body that controls the collection, holding, processing or use of the data in, or from, Hong Kong. In these cases, the data user must fulfil its obligations under the PDPO in respect of such transfers. These include expressly informing the data subject of the purposes for which the personal data will be collected and, where applicable, the classes of persons to whom it may be transferred; ensuring that the personal data is not excessive in relation to those purposes; and obtaining the consent of the data subject or otherwise complying with an alternative legal basis for the transfer.
Under current statutory and common law in Hong Kong, only data that can be used to identify an individual is covered by the provisions of the PDPO. This includes information that identifies a person by name, identification number or other factors specific to their physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity. This definition of personal data is wider than the one in the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It is also broader than the definition in some other jurisdictions, such as Canada.
This makes it very difficult for the authorities to impose a requirement that data users expressly inform data subjects of the purpose for which their personal information is being collected and, where applicable, the classes of individuals to whom it may be transferred. This can lead to uncertainty for data users, especially in the case of international transfers of personal data.
Tech Data Distribution (Hong Kong) Limited (“Tech Data HK”), a TD SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX) company, is the leading global distributor and solutions aggregator for the IT ecosystem. With over 23,500 team members worldwide, Tech Data HK helps to maximize technology investments, demonstrate business outcomes and unlock growth opportunities. The company unites compelling IT products, services and solutions from 1,500+ best-in-class technology vendors.
Tech Data HK has signed a strategic distributorship agreement with Allied Telesis, a leading global vendor of IT infrastructure solutions. Allied Telesis’ software advancements, known as Network AI, enable companies to automate administrative tasks and solve technological problems more efficiently. As a result, they can focus more time on their core business. This is especially important in a time when budgets are tight and there is increased competition for IT resources.