Privacy battle in Hong Kong
HONG KONG internet service providers say they will respect their users' privacy but are bound by local laws, after a group of record companies asked them to hand over information about alleged illegal downloads.
Seven record companies last week filed a writ in the High Court seeking a court order to force four local internet service providers (ISPs) to disclose the identities of 22 alleged illegal music file-sharers.
The Hong Kong internet Service Providers Association said while the group does not encourage the use of internet services for unlawful purposes, it is committed to respect the rule of law and residents' rights to privacy.
"Third parties requesting ISPs to conduct data matching and disclosure of personal data should base such request on solid and verifiable evidence," group chairman York Mok said in a statement.
He said such third parties should also provide "reasonable" advance notice to them and "scope the request sensibly so as to not unduly prejudice or create undue inconvenience."
