In a recent development, the Official Receiver’s Office (ORO) has acknowledged the loss of seven magnetic backup tapes containing personal information of 76,000 individuals. The incident occurred during transit from the Immigration Tower to Queensway Government Offices on January 22, 2025. Despite this mishap, the ORO reassures the public that the risk of data leakage remains extremely low due to the high-level encryption used. The office has promptly reported the event to relevant authorities and is taking immediate steps to enhance its data protection measures.

The ORO has expressed regret over the delay in reporting this incident and has issued an official apology. The lost tapes were securely stored in a locked protective case and encrypted using AES-256, one of the most robust encryption algorithms available. After consulting with the Digital Policy Office, the ORO maintains that the likelihood of unauthorized access to the data is minimal. To date, there is no evidence suggesting that the information has been compromised or accessed by unauthorized parties.

Upon discovering the loss, the ORO immediately informed key government bodies including the Police Force, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, the Security Bureau, and the Digital Policy Office. These actions demonstrate the seriousness with which the ORO treats data security and privacy concerns. The office has also pledged to review and refine all transit procedures and data protection practices moving forward.

To prevent similar incidents in the future, the ORO has implemented new protocols aimed at enhancing the security of data handling and transportation. This includes a comprehensive review of existing practices and the introduction of stricter safeguards. The ORO remains committed to ensuring the highest standards of data protection and transparency in its operations, reinforcing public trust in its services.