(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today said the Transport Department’s new service of notifying registered vehicle owners whose personal data has been checked via a public search service will not undermine press freedom.

Ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning, Mrs Lam made the remarks in response to media enquiries on the department’s email notification service concerning the Certificate of Particulars of Vehicle launched on January 2.

Under the new service, the department will send an email notification to inform subscribed vehicle owners that their personal data has been disclosed to a third party through a public search regarding their vehicles.

Mrs Lam explained that the goal of the email notification service is to protect the public’s privacy.

“When a particular person comes to apply for something - whether it is a car licence, a land transaction, or register companies - they have these personal data with us.

“So as a government body, we have to be responsible in ensuring the privacy of these people.”

Mrs Lam dismissed suggestions that press freedom will be undermined as a result of the new service.

“The administrative measure taken by the Transport Department is no more than just to alert the person that somebody has checked their personal data.

“I really don't see how this will undermine the work of the media, and hence I do not see why media should be exempted from the administrative procedure that the Transport Department has put in place.”

She added that other departments which possess public registers are also reviewing their procedures.