Hong Kong privacy watchdog opens compliance check against Deliveroo

Hong Kong’s privacy watchdog has started a compliance check against Deliveroo after the takeaway delivery platform said it would shut down its operations in the city.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data on Wednesday said Deliveroo’s exit from the local market could affect the personal data privacy rights of its customers and delivery riders.

The watchdog said it had “commenced a compliance check against Deliveroo in accordance with established procedures to gather more information, with a view to assisting the relevant merchants”.

These included “the operator taking over the business, in handling, deleting or transferring the personal data of customers and delivery riders in compliance with the requirements of the watchdog”, it added.

Deliveroo said on Monday that it would be pulling out of the Hong Kong market, leaving Berlin-based rival Delivery Hero’s Foodpanda to compete directly with Keeta, the other major player.

Deliveroo reported negative levels of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation, or Ebitda, in the city over the past year.

The company is redirecting its riders and customers to Foodpanda. Some restaurants and grocery stores found on Deliveroo will also be onboarded to its rival.