ContactlessNews | Octopus CEO resigns after data sharing scandal

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Octopus CEO resigns after data sharing scandal

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Prudence Chan has resigned as CEO of Hong Kong smart card provider Octopus Holdings after admitting to selling customers’ personal data to business partners, according to iTnews.com.au.

Chan admitted to the deed during private hearings with Hong Kong’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data last week, but maintains that Octopus broke none of Hong Kong’s laws. Her resignation, she says, is intended to help the company regain the public’s trust.

Authorities discovered that Octopus’ customers were asked to provide a list of personal details including passport and birth certificate numbers, email addresses, home phone numbers and personal income data in order to join a basic rewards program, which in reality only required the applicant’s name and Octopus card number, said Privacy Commissioner Roderick Woo.

In the meantime, Octupus’ board has approved the appointment of consultancy firm DeloitteToucheTomatsu to review the company’s protection policies, according to iTnews.

Research and Markets announced the addition of Polasik Research’s contactless payment cards market report, “The Global Contactless Payment Cards Market”, to its offering.

The report describes the evolution contactless payment methods used at point-of-sale, with reference to the solutions offered under the American Express/MasterCard/Visa Agreement. The report also examines the prospects for the development of contactless payments all over the world, including the potential to develop into NFC-based mobile payments.

Cape Town goes contactless on taxi fares

The Peninsula Taxi Association (PTA) in South Africa has launched a electronic fare collection system, granting commuters cashless fare and discounts when using the newly developed contactless-enabled transit card, according to The Cape Times.

Bluestar launches cashless ticketing scheme

UK-regional bus group Bluestar has launched a new transit card for discounted weekly and monthly travel on its network, according to Southern Daily Echo.

The new card enables cashless fare for any service on the Bluestar Network in Southampton, Eastleigh and Winchester. It also supports travel on Wilts & Dorset buses and Southern Vectis on the Isle of Wight, both of which are owned and operated by Go-Ahead Group.

Survey: Germans coming around to NFC, contactless payments

A new survey from Euro Kartensysteme shows that Germans are starting to embrace the idea of contactless and NFC payments.

Out of 1,040 Germans aged 18-59, 43% responded that they would like to make contactless payments if given the opportunity, of which 58% percent would make their payments with a debit card card, 41% with a credit card and 50% with an NFC phone.

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