Former postmaster general Allan Chiang Yam-wang was named the next privacy commissioner yesterday - and immediately sought to explain away a run-in he had with the office he has been chosen to lead.
Chiang was head of Hongkong Post when it was investigated by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner in 2005 after six pinhole cameras concealed in socket-like boxes were installed at the Cheung Sha Wan post office - some near washrooms and changing rooms. Staff were not told about them.
At the time, Chiang explained that they were installed to catch a thief. The cameras were later dismantled and the recordings made were destroyed after the privacy commissioner issued an enforcement notice describing the use of secret cameras as highly intrusive.
Recalling the incident yesterday, Chiang said his brush with the privacy watchdog had stoked his 'passion' for privacy protection and inspired him to apply for the job. He admitted he had not known enough about protecting personal data at the time.
'A fall in the pit is a gain in my wit,' Chiang said. 'This incident gave rise to my interest in privacy protection, and is one of the reasons I applied for the position.'
Stephen Lam Sui-lung, the secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs, said Chiang had been proactive in handling the incident, and he believed that the experience had given the former postmaster general a greater sense of responsibility about the handling of personal data.