Date: 10 January 2023
A 52-year-old Chinese Female Arrested for Posting Doxxing Posters
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) today arrested a Chinese female aged 52 in the New Territories. She was suspected to have disclosed the personal data of a data subject without her consent, in contravention of section 64(3A) of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO).
The investigation revealed that the victim and the arrested person were former colleagues working in a school between 2019 and 2021. Their relationship turned sour in 2021 owing to work grudges. In July 2022, posters were displayed near the school on two occasions, disclosing copies of the victim’s Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID card) and some negative remarks against her. The personal data disclosed included the victim’s Chinese and English names, HKID card number, date of birth and her photo.
The arrested person is granted bail. The PCPD will continue its investigation into the case.
The PCPD reminds members of the public that identity cards contain sensitive personal data. Disclosing copies of identity cards without the consent of the data subject concerned, either arbitrarily or maliciously, may constitute a doxxing offence. An offender is liable on conviction to a fine up to $1,000,000 and imprisonment for 5 years.
Relevant provisions under the PDPO
Pursuant to section 64(3A) of the PDPO, a person commits an offence if the person discloses any personal data of a data subject without the relevant consent of the data subject—
(a) with an intent to cause any specified harm to the data subject or any family member of the data subject; or
(b) being reckless as to whether any specified harm would be, or would likely be, caused to the data subject or any family member of the data subject.
A person who commits an offence under section 64(3A) is liable on conviction to a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for 2 years.
According to section 64(6) of the PDPO, specified harm in relation to a person means—
(a) harassment, molestation, pestering, threat or intimidation to the person;
(b) bodily harm or psychological harm to the person;
(c) harm causing the person reasonably to be concerned for the person’s safety or well-being; or
(d) damage to the property of the person.
－End－