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(Hong Kong, 25 July 2010) The Board of Octopus Holdings Limited ("OHL") today announces that on recommendation of its Special Committee on Data Privacy, the company and all its subsidiaries will no longer participate in any future activities that require the provision of customer personal data to merchant partners for marketing purposes.
At the same time, Octopus Rewards Limited ("ORL") is actively working with CIGNA and CPP towards the early termination of their co-operation agreements with the company, which include the provision of certain customers' personal data for marketing purposes. The move is aimed at alleviating customer and public concerns on personal data handling.
Under the Octopus Rewards Programme, co-operation agreements have been signed with CIGNA and CPP whereby customers' personal data is provided to CIGNA and CPP for marketing purposes, given that consent had previously been obtained from Octopus Rewards members. In view of the heightened public concerns, all associated marketing activities carried out under the co-operation agreements have already been discontinued.
OHL would like to sincerely apologise for the concerns that have been caused to customers and the public in regard to the provision of personal data for marketing purposes.
"We take seriously the need to protect the personal data and privacy of our customers. Indeed, we believe our customer data handling policies and procedures are based on the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. However, we understand the grave concerns expressed by both customers and the public in general on marketing programmes that involve the use of personal data," said Prudence Chan, Chief Executive Officer of OHL. "To put their minds at ease, we believe the best way forward is to terminate all activities that involve the provision of customers' personal data to merchant partners for marketing purposes."
"The Rewards programme was designed to bring added benefits to customers through special offers and rewards in conjunction with selected merchant partners. Despite our decision to stop providing customers' personal data to third parties for marketing purposes, Rewards members can rest assured they will continue to enjoy special promotional offers from our other merchant partners," Ms Chan added.
A Special Committee of the OHL Board has been set up to carry out a full review of the company's data privacy and usage policies as well as survey international best practices to identify areas for enhancement. The Special Committee is actively identifying an external auditor for Hong Kong Monetary Authority's approval to assist in the review. At the same time, OHL will be co-operating fully with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) and the Legislative Council's Panel on Financial Affairs on this matter.
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