The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance provides for the appointment of a Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data to monitor, supervise and promote compliance with the ordinance. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCO) began full operation in December 1996.

In 2004, the PCO handled 15 426 enquiries and 1 085 complaints, and conducted 63 compliance checks in relation to the ordinance.

The PCO has continued to organise a variety of activities to foster a culture of respect for individuals' data privacy. In addition to the more traditional form of activities like seminars and plenary meetings of the Data Protection Officers' Club, the office has launched an interactive performance entitled 'Telling You My Secret' in 30 primary schools to impart the message of protecting and respecting privacy rights. A comedy show, 'Privacy Affairs', was also re-staged in view of the applause it received in its debut in 2003. An information sheet on the use of personal data in cross-marketing activities was also issued.

In keeping with the general sentiment and views expressed in the public consultation in 2002, the PCO issued a set of "best practice" guidelines on employee monitoring in December. The guidelines seek to offer some order, consistency and continuity to workplace monitoring practices and hold employers accountable for developing unambiguous policies.