Website policies · Personal data · Important notices
Policies and important notices
We take care with the information you entrust to us. This page explains how we handle personal data, the limits of our website and third-party services, and where to find emotional support.
Policy source version
25 March 2025
This page presents our current privacy policy and important notices in a clearer structure. We will announce significant changes on our website.
On this page
01 Privacy policy
Our commitment
The Samaritans Hong Kong complies with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486). We collect personal data lawfully and fairly, only where it is directly related to our work and activities. The data we collect will be adequate but not excessive, retained only for as long as necessary, and protected against unauthorised or accidental access, processing, erasure or other use. You have the right to request access to and correction of your personal data.
Purpose of collection
We use personal data only for the purpose stated when it was collected, or for another directly related purpose.
Data protection
We take practicable steps to protect personal data against unauthorised or accidental access, processing, erasure or other use.
Access and correction
You may ask to access or correct your personal data, or request that we stop using it.
This policy applies only to The Samaritans Hong Kong’s official website and not to the websites of individual service units. We may update this policy from time to time and will announce significant changes on our website.
02 Personal Information Collection Statement
Information collected through this website
A
Personal information
This may include your name, address, telephone number, email address and date of birth, where relevant. We ask for personal information only in connection with specific activities, such as courses and events, research and surveys, or newsletter subscriptions. You may choose not to provide this information.
B
Browsing records
We may collect information such as your IP address, the pages you visit and files you download. This helps us understand how people use the website, monitor performance and improve our services. It does not identify who you are or where you live.
Why we collect personal data
01 To process and administer your donations and communicate with you about them.
02 To share news, activities, fundraising information and volunteering opportunities, and to seek feedback that helps us improve our services.
03 To respond to enquiries or concerns you submit, or to contact you about your donations.
03 Data retention and cookies
How information is stored and used
Personal information submitted through forms on this website is held in our databases in Hong Kong. We will not share information you submit online with another organisation unless you have expressly given us permission to do so. Our website service provider supplies only aggregate visitor statistics to us.
When you browse this website, cookies may be stored on your device to support navigation and website functions. These cookies do not collect personal data in this context. You may choose not to accept cookies, but some parts of the website may not work as intended.
04 Donor information
Payment details and donation receipts
When you donate by credit card through our online donation platform, a secure, encrypted connection is established between your browser and the Stripe Payment Gateway. The transaction is processed through Stripe rather than our own system, and your card details are used only to process the donation.
Other personal information, such as your name, address, telephone number and email address, is transmitted securely to us so that we can issue an official donation receipt. We may also send you updates about our work and related information. You may choose not to provide other personal information, and you can ask us at any time to stop sending donation or service communications by email or post.
If you are under 18, please obtain permission from a parent or guardian before providing personal information, such as your name, address or email address, to us or to anyone else online.
05 Important notice
Please read these points before using the website
01
You use The Samaritans Hong Kong website at your own risk. We are not responsible for loss or damage arising from access to or use of the website.
02
The information and content on this website are prepared for use in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. They may not meet the requirements, standards or circumstances of other places.
03
We aim to keep the website accurate and complete, but we do not accept liability for errors or omissions. Terms relating to our services may change, and we may amend or discontinue them without prior notice.
04
Any material downloaded or obtained through the website is accessed at your own discretion and risk. You are responsible for any resulting damage to your computer system or loss of data.
External links and third-party services
This website or third parties may provide links to other websites or resources. The Samaritans Hong Kong does not control those sites or resources and is not responsible for their availability, content, advertising, products or other material. A link does not necessarily mean that we endorse the third party. Any transaction, promotion or service arranged through a third-party website is solely between you and that third party.
06 Copyright, intellectual property and logos
Please obtain permission before using our material
Unless otherwise stated, all content on this website, including text, graphics, photographs, audio-visual material, software and code, is copyright of The Samaritans Hong Kong. You must not copy, alter, reproduce, publish, upload, transmit or distribute this information or material without our prior written permission.
Use of our name and logo
The Samaritans Hong Kong logo, name, service names, designs and associated wording belong to the organisation and must not be used without prior permission. If you wish to use material from our website or social media to raise funds for us, please contact donation@samaritans.org.hk first.
donation@samaritans.org.hk
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08 Access, correction and stopping use of personal data
You can make a request about personal data we hold
Under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, you may request access to or correction of your personal data, or ask us to stop using it. Please write to The Samaritans Hong Kong, PO Box 44277, Shau Kei Wan Post Office, Hong Kong; fax (+852)2898 4463; or email info@samaritans.org.hk.
Need immediate support?
If you or someone near you is in immediate danger
Call 999 or go to an Accident and Emergency department. For emotional support, call The Samaritans Hong Kong’s 24-hour emotional support hotline on (+852)2896 0000, or email jo@samaritans.org.hk.
Together, we can help
Your donation helps keep our hotline open and our volunteers trained and supported.
07 Social media guidelines
Keeping public conversations respectful and protecting privacy
Social media helps The Samaritans Hong Kong share information and speak with donors, supporters and others who care about our work. Because these are open platforms, we have set out the following guidelines to help protect everyone who takes part.
Treat one another with respect
Please communicate respectfully and allow others to share different points of view. Questions involving overseas partners may take us longer to answer.
Protect your privacy
Our social media channels are public spaces. Please do not post personal information there. If you need emotional support, please use our hotline or Befriending Email Service instead.
Moderation and comments
Only comments made by our authorised social media administrators represent The Samaritans Hong Kong. We may remove content that is off-topic, repetitive, promotional, unlawful, harassing, intrusive of privacy or in breach of intellectual property rights.
If you have a question about these guidelines, please use ‘Social media guidelines’ as the subject of your email.
Email us
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