Media Statements
Media Statement - Privacy Commissioner Holds Seminar on Cyberbullying and Doxxing
Date: 16 September 2019
Photo caption: The Seminar attracts over 100 people from education, social work and many other sectors.
Privacy Commissioner Holds Seminar on Cyberbullying and Doxxing
The office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) today held a seminar, examining bullying and doxxing in the cyber space from personal data privacy perspective, and explaining how to safely use social and messaging platforms to protect online privacy. Speaking at the seminar were Mr Stephen Kai-yi WONG, Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong (Privacy Commissioner), and Mr Francis Po-kiu FONG, Member of the Standing Committee on Technological Developments of PCPD and Honorary President of Hong Kong Information Technology Federation. The seminar was attended by over 100 people from education, social work, legal, medical, human resources, banking, information technology, advertising, hotel, insurance, property management, broadcasting and public relations, civil service and trading sectors, etc.
At this seminar conducted at PCPD, the Privacy Commissioner pointed out that in recent months there have been frequent occurrences of cyberbullying and doxxing that have infringed on personal data privacy. It has become a commonplace to see personal data being disclosed online, people being unfairly doxxed and bullied, and posting of inciting remarks. Some are even to the extent of mentioning intimidating acts, causing psychological harm to those affected. Some of the persons affected are children and youngsters, who are meant to be protected and cared for. Expressing grave concern about this situation, the Privacy Commissioner said that these acts may have contravened the criminal provisions, such as section 64, under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO).
In face of children and young people being cyberbullied or doxxed, the Privacy Commissioner advised school authorities, parents or social workers to complain to PCPD, or to report to the operators of the social networks to urge them to remove the cyberbullying and doxxing contents. The children and young people themselves can make use of the blocking function of social media to stop receiving bullying and doxxing messages. Parents should also encourage their children to seek help.
On privacy risks associated with social and messaging platforms and how to smartly use those platforms, Mr Francis Fong advised the attendees of the Seminar how to prevent falling victim to cyberbullying and doxxing.
PCPD has actively followed up on cases of cyberbullying and doxxing in the past few months. Follow-up actions include:
The Privacy Commissioner will follow up and enforce the law under the powers conferred upon by PDPO on every single case on the longstanding principles of being just and fair, impartial, and without fear or favour. PCPD will continue to carry out promotion and education work correspondingly. For details, please visit PCPD website: http://www.pcpd.org.hk.
At this seminar conducted at PCPD, the Privacy Commissioner pointed out that in recent months there have been frequent occurrences of cyberbullying and doxxing that have infringed on personal data privacy. It has become a commonplace to see personal data being disclosed online, people being unfairly doxxed and bullied, and posting of inciting remarks. Some are even to the extent of mentioning intimidating acts, causing psychological harm to those affected. Some of the persons affected are children and youngsters, who are meant to be protected and cared for. Expressing grave concern about this situation, the Privacy Commissioner said that these acts may have contravened the criminal provisions, such as section 64, under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO).
In face of children and young people being cyberbullied or doxxed, the Privacy Commissioner advised school authorities, parents or social workers to complain to PCPD, or to report to the operators of the social networks to urge them to remove the cyberbullying and doxxing contents. The children and young people themselves can make use of the blocking function of social media to stop receiving bullying and doxxing messages. Parents should also encourage their children to seek help.
On privacy risks associated with social and messaging platforms and how to smartly use those platforms, Mr Francis Fong advised the attendees of the Seminar how to prevent falling victim to cyberbullying and doxxing.
PCPD has actively followed up on cases of cyberbullying and doxxing in the past few months. Follow-up actions include:
- Referring 865 cases to the Police for investigation;
- Writing 49 times to 10 online platforms to urge immediate removal and suspension of uploading relevant posts;
- Searching for illegal posts by a special team;
- Issuing 12 media statements;
- The Privacy Commissioner giving explanations to the media and the general public for more than 45 times; and
- Writing to all primary and secondary schools to provide publicity and education materials.
The Privacy Commissioner will follow up and enforce the law under the powers conferred upon by PDPO on every single case on the longstanding principles of being just and fair, impartial, and without fear or favour. PCPD will continue to carry out promotion and education work correspondingly. For details, please visit PCPD website: http://www.pcpd.org.hk.
Photo caption: The Seminar attracts over 100 people from education, social work and many other sectors.
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