Implementation of the spectrum utilization fee charging scheme for spectrum assigned administratively
Opening up of public sector information
Mr CHAN Chun-ying noted that the Government’s “data.gov.hk” portal disseminated close to 7 000 datasets of government information in 18 categories. He asked how far the Administration was from full dissemination of all available datasets. GCIO said that while the Administration had not taken stock of how many datasets of public sector information (“PSI”) that could be open up, the Administration would encourage various sectors to develop innovative applications using the open datasets.
Mr CHAN Chun-ying asked how many types of government bills and fees there were and whether the Administration had set a target of when all these government bills and fees could be paid through electronic and mobile payment services. DGCIO said that OGCIO had worked out mobile payment technology options which supported smartphone e-wallet, thereby allowing relevant B/Ds to adopt these options shortly having regard to their business needs to further facilitate public use of e-government services.
Mr CHAN Chun-ying referred to a recent incident where government information was leaked from the computer of a government’s contractor of a major infrastructure project due to hacker’s attack. He asked what measures the Administration would introduce to ensure security and protection of Government information in future. DGCIO said that OGCIO had conducted penetration test on government’s computer systems to ensure security and protection of Government information. As regards the case in question, DGCIO said that the information was leaked from a contractor’s computer, which was not subject to the same level of protection as other Government information technology systems. No personal data or Government confidential information was lost. DGCIO added that the department concerned would follow up with contractors to remind them of the need to exercise care to ensure safe custody of Government information.
Implementation of e-Government services
Mr CHAN Chun-ying observed that the development cost of mobile apps launched by the Transport Department was rather high, and yet they were not amongst the most popular government apps. He asked how the Administration would improve the situation. DGCIO said that B/Ds were required to submit post-implementation departmental returns to OGCIO on the usage rate, updates and enhancements made to the apps to improve public services. DGCIO added that in the case of the Transport Department, public sector information had been released and there were third party apps that made use of such information. That might explain the lower than expected download or usage rates of Transport Department’s own mobile apps.