Auctioning Off Privacy

Artificial Intelligence ("AI") is no longer the future on the horizon for businesses in Hong Kong, but the present-day reality. In just a few years, AI has moved from the margins of corporate operations to their core...

Part VIA of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486) (PDPO) sets out new direct marketing requirements. Part VIA will tentatively commence on 1 April 2013.

Section 33 of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance prohibits the transfer of personal data to places outside Hong Kong except in circumstances specified in the PDPO.

Given the private nature of banking services and as banks serve the vast majority of the public, the banking industry is one of the private sectors in Hong Kong for which the Hong Kong Privacy Commissioner receives most complaints.

The HKMA announced that it had granted five stored value facility licences, which are the first set of such licences granted by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority under the new Payment Systems and Stored Value Facilities Ordinance.

Conducting background checks on job candidates has become common practice amongst Hong Kong employers.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data ("PCPD") updated the Guidance on the Use of CCTV Surveillance (the "CCTV Guidance") and issued a new Guidance...

Recent high profile data privacy breaches have brought the Hong Kong Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486) ("PDPO") under the spotlight. Hong Kong was one of the first countries in Asia

In this update, Pádraig Walsh from our Data Privacy team looks at two investigation reports published by the Hong Kong Privacy...

The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has generated much excitement over the past two years. Since the public launch of Open AI's ChatGPT on 30 November 2022...

The UK Home Secretary has confirmed that the revised earned settlement policy will be published before the end of 2026, following her appearance before the Home Affairs Committee. This announcement provides clarity on the timeline for implementing significant changes to the UK immigration system, including transitional arrangements and the extension of the default settlement period from five to ten years.

The UK Home Office has introduced significant changes to its Immigration Rules, including new protections for Skilled Worker visa holders who are victims of modern slavery, measures to prevent abuse of fee waiver processes, and updates to support the UK's participation in Erasmus+ from January 2027. These changes also expand permitted activities for visitors coming to the UK for training or creative purposes.

The UK government has announced significant changes to its immigration system in the Autumn 2026 budget, including modifications to Skilled Worker salary requirements, extended curtailment periods for highly skilled workers, and expansions to the High Potential Individual and Global Talent visa routes. These reforms aim to create Europe's most pro-business migration system for highly skilled workers while introducing new complexities around visa curtailment and graduate route permissions.

Hong Kong's Chief Executive has unveiled sweeping employment law reforms in the 2026 Policy Address, introducing statutory protections for delivery workers, tightening imported labour controls, and accelerating MPF system changes. These measures reflect the Government's commitment to protecting local workers while addressing the challenges of an ageing workforce and evolving labour market dynamics.

As 2026 begins, Ireland's immigration system is entering a period of significant recalibration, with new remuneration thresholds for employment permits, tougher family reunification rules...

The Hong Kong Government has announced a 2.35% increase in the minimum allowable wage for foreign domestic workers, raising it from HK$5,100 to HK$5,220 per month effective October 2026. This adjustment follows the government's annual review considering economic performance, labour market conditions, and stakeholder input, with specific implementation timelines for new and existing employment contracts.

The UK consumer law landscape is undergoing rapid transformation as the CMA exercises its new direct enforcement powers under the DMCC Act 2024, with subscription contract regulations accelerated...

A Hong Kong director was sentenced to 120 hours of community service and ordered to pay HK$93,000 in outstanding wages after her companies failed to pay employees on time. The case demonstrates that corporate officers can face serious criminal liability, including fines up to HK$350,000 and three years' imprisonment, when employment law breaches occur with their consent, connivance, or neglect.

Hong Kong's debt recovery landscape has become increasingly challenging, with corporate insolvencies rising 45% in 2025 and bankruptcy petitions climbing to over 10,000. This comprehensive guide explores the legal pathways available to creditors, from initial demand letters to enforcement mechanisms, and examines when civil litigation versus insolvency proceedings may be the most effective strategy for recovering outstanding debts.

Lewis Silkin launches Lettu, an AI-powered platform designed to revolutionize how creators, talent managers, agencies and brands negotiate and finalize commercial deals.