Phone Number Validation and Verification Services: Various APIs and services can validate the format, existence, and often the type (mobile, landline) of a Hong Kong phone number. These are primarily tools for data hygiene and accuracy, ensuring the numbers you already possess are correct and active, rather than for generating new contacts.
Reverse Phone Lookup Services (Highly Restricted): General reverse phone lookup services for personal numbers are severely limited in Hong Kong due to the PDPO. Even a phone number, without a name, is considered personal data if the individual can be identified from it through "all means reasonably likely to be used."
The PDPO imposes significant obligations, particularly concerning direct marketing:
Consent for Direct Marketing: A key amendment to the PDPO in 2012/2013 specifically tightened regulations on direct marketing. Data users must obtain explicit consent (or a clear "no objection" from the data subject, with an easily accessible opt-out mechanism) before using their personal data, including phone numbers, for direct marketing. They must also inform the data subject of the classes of personal data to be used and the types of marketing subjects.
No Commercial Bulk Purchase of Personal Lists: The purchase or acquisition of large lists of personal phone numbers from third parties without verifiable consent trails is highly risky and likely illegal under germany phone number library the PDPO. The PCPD has consistently emphasized the importance of lawfully obtained and processed data.
Industry Regulatory Scheme for Marketing Calls: The OFCA, in collaboration with industry associations (finance, insurance, telecommunications, call centers, beauty, estate agencies, money lenders), has established an Industry Regulatory Scheme for Marketing Calls. This scheme includes best practices such as:
Marketing calls only between 9:00 am and 10:00 pm.
No concealment of calling line identification.
Clear disclosure of the principal's name and purpose of the call at the outset.
Prompt recording and honoring of unsubscribe requests (within 10 working days).
Data Subject Rights: Individuals have the right to request access to their personal data held by organizations and to correct any inaccuracies. They can also request that their data not be used for direct marketing.
Doxxing Offenses: The 2021 amendments introduced severe penalties for doxxing (unauthorized disclosure of personal data without consent, with intent to cause harm). While primarily targeting malicious acts, this underscores the sensitivity of personal contact information.