Hong Kong Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) is seeking legal advice on matters related to the leaks of personal data of people who made complaints against the Police, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee said Wednesday.

Lee told lawmakers the council's secretariat had entered into contracts with the concerned contractor to develop, enhance and maintain a standalone computer system for statistics and research purposes in 1998.

"On the basis of records available, the IPCC Secretariat advised that there were no penalty clauses in the contracts for any breach of the duty of confidence by the contractor. It also advised that there was no file record indicating any reason for not including such clauses," Lee said.

When asked whether the contractor will be penalized, Lee said no further details can be provided at this stage because legal advice is being sought.

Hong Kong media reported early March a database apparently from the IPCC revealed on the Internet highly confidential records dating back to 1996 about 20,000 names, addresses and Hong Kong identity card numbers for each complainant towards the police. The incident has greatly hurt the entire society and the integrity of the IPCC.

The council has taken measures to control the damage and better safeguard the personal data available to it. It will co-operate fully with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data's investigation and will comply fully with the office's recommendations.

Source: Xinhua