Hong Kong: Privacy Watchdog Reviews Travel Platforms, Urges Better Data Practices
The Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) in Hong Kong has completed an inspection of 10 popular online travel platforms, evaluating their data collection and privacy practices. The findings were published in a report titled A Study of the Collection of Personal Data by 10 Online Travel Platforms. The official news is published on 18 November 2024.
The platforms examined included Agoda, Trip.com, Expedia, and Wing On Travel, among others. The PCPD assessed their websites and apps to understand how personal data is collected and used.
Key Findings
Privacy Policies: All platforms displayed their privacy policies, outlining data collection purposes and third-party data sharing. However, only seven specified data retention practices.
User Tracking: Every platform tracked user activities, such as location and browsing history.
Account Creation: Users could book travel products without creating an account. Those who registered had to provide between one and six types of personal data.
AI Use: Agoda and Expedia disclosed the use of AI technologies involving personal data.
Data Retention: Four platforms offered users the option to save personal data at checkout for convenience.
Privacy Policy Readability: Expedia scored highest for its concise and clear privacy policy, aided by structured headings and tables.
The PCPD’s recommendations aim to enhance user trust and privacy compliance as online travel services continue to grow.
Note: The full report is available here only in Chinese.