|
(Hong Kong, 20 July 2010) The Board of Directors of Octopus
Holdings Limited (OHL) today announced that it is taking a
number of actions aimed at maintaining customer confidence
in the company's data privacy policies and practices.
Board Special Committee
A Special Committee of the Board has been set up to carry
out a full review of the company's data privacy and usage
policies and practices. It will also carry out a survey of
international best practices to assist in identifying and
recommending areas for further enhancement.
The Special Committee will be chaired by OHL Independent Non-Executive
Director Roger Luk B.B.S., JP., and will include OHL Independent
Non-Executive Directors Professor Andrew Chan Chi-fai and
Mr Alexander Reid Hamilton. The Special Committee will also
appoint independent experts to support its review.
Making it Easier for Rewards members to Opt Out
Starting tomorrow, the company will begin to communicate with
the 2.4 million Rewards members to inform them of the measures
being taken by the Board, the confidentiality and data protection
measures that are in force to protect their personal data
and remind them of how they can opt out and not having their
personal information used for any marketing promotion under
the Rewards Programme. New methods have been created to make
it easier for Rewards members to opt out, including a new
opt-out box on the Octopus website. To opt out, members can
now:
● Go to the Octopus website at https://www.octopusrewards.com.hk/profile/update/en/upd_step1.jsp
and check the "opt-out" box in the "Contact Update" section;
● Call the Octopus Rewards hotline on 3690 1313; or
● Send a letter to Octopus Rewards Ltd at PO Box 38170, Hing
Fat Street Post Office, Hong Kong.
Marketing Partnership
Pending the outcome of the review, no new contracts will be
signed whereby customer information is shared with merchants.
Under the Octopus Rewards programme, there are currently two
merchant partners, CIGNA and CPP, with whom customer information
is shared to offer special insurance plans. Customer information
is protected by strict confidentiality agreements in the partnership
contracts and the Rewards programme works closely with the
companies to ensure that the information is used only for
designated marketing promotions and that it is returned or
destroyed as appropriate afterwards.
Octopus Rewards will reinforce with both CIGNA and CPP the
importance it places on the protection of customer data and
privacy as well as the requirement to strictly adhere to the
confidentiality clauses in the contracts.
"The trust of our customers is of the highest importance and
we appreciate the public's concern over the protection of
any personal information they share with us. We will be conducting
an objective and independent review of the company's policies
and practices and we will be seeking input from independent
experts," said Mr Luk.
"The Octopus management will be working very closely with
the Special Committee of the Board and will provide all the
information available to facilitate them in conducting a comprehensive
review. We hope the public will give the Special Committee
the time needed to complete the review. It is our intention
to address all the concerns and keep everyone informed," said
Prudence Chan, OHL's Chief Executive Officer.
The Special Committee aims to complete its review in three
months' time and submit its findings and recommendations to
the OHL Board. The information will be shared with the Hong
Kong Monetary Authority, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner
for Personal Data, other stakeholders and the public.
About Octopus Cards Limited
Launched in 1997, Hong Kong's Octopus is the world's leading
and most extensive smartcard payment system, with over 3,000
service providers across different businesses including public
transport, parking, retail, vending and kiosks, schools and
leisure facilities, and access control for residential and
commercial buildings. There are over 50,000 Octopus readers
deployed in the market. Merchants and Octopus holders embrace
Octopus for both its simplicity and its convenience. Today,
more than 20 million Octopus cards and products are in circulation,
and the system handles over 11 million transactions a day,
with transaction value exceeding HK$100 million. In recent
years, Octopus has started to export its unique experience
and technology overseas, offering consultancy services for
parties from different parts of the world. Additional information
can be found at www.octopus.com.hk.
Octopus Rewards Limited is a subsidiary of Octopus Holdings
Limited.
-End-
|