Hong Kong has appended the World Trade Organization (WTO) Telecom Reference Paper to its schedule of commitments.

It is reported that the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA), the executive authority for the supervision and administration of services in the telecommunications sector, is independent from the government in the decision-making process.

Section 374 of the Companies Ordinance requires a company to maintain its accounting records either at its registered office or at another location determined by the directors, ensuring that they remain accessible to the directors at all times without charge. Where such records are kept outside Hong Kong, the corresponding accounts and returns relating to the business concerned must be sent to, and preserved at, a place within Hong Kong for the same purpose. Under section 2, company refers to an entity formed and registered under the Ordinance, an existing company, or a re‑domiciled company.

Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission released a circular in October 2019 that requires banks and other regulated groups to store data locally or ensure that their cloud provider will hand over information on request.

Hong Kong has joined an agreement with binding commitments to open transfers of data across borders: the Australia - Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement and associated Investment Agreement [Art. 11.7(2) and 11.15(1)].

The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, as amended in 2012 (the PDPO), is the main legislation in Hong Kong which aims to protect the privacy of individuals in relation to personal data and to regulate the collection, holding, processing, or use of personal data based on a set of data protection principles (DPPs).

Hong Kong is a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA), and its commitments also cover the services sectors considered most important for digital trade, namely telecommunication services (CPC 752), telecommunication-related services (CPC 754), and computer and related services (CPC 84).

Under the Communications Authority Ordinance and the Companies Ordinance, there are no ownership restrictions for telecommunications, the manufacture of information and communication technology goods and products, computer and related services, and online broadcasting. In addition, it is reported that there are no foreign ownership limitations in the telecom sector.

Hong Kong is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

Hong Kong has a clear regime of copyright exceptions that follows the fair dealing model under the Copyright Ordinance, which enables the lawful use of copyrighted work by others without obtaining permission. These exceptions include research, private study, criticism, reviews and news reporting.

Copyright is not adequately enforced online in Hong Kong. Piracy through illicit streaming devices (ISDs) is reportedly on the rise in Hong Kong, posing a direct threat to content creators, sports leagues and live performances, as well as legitimate providers of streaming, on-demand and over-the-top media services. In addition, Hong Kong's failure to modernise its copyright system has left it vulnerable to digital copyright piracy, particularly from illicit streaming websites and streaming devices (ISDs), with negative ramifications for businesses and innovators.

Hong Kong has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty.

Hong Kong has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty.