Date: 12 July 2024
A 21-year-old Male Arrested for Suspected Doxxing
Arising from Relationship Entanglements
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) today arrested a Chinese male aged 21 in Kowloon. The arrested person was suspected to have disclosed the personal data of his ex-girlfriend without her consent, in contravention of section 64(3A) of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO).
The PCPD’s investigation revealed that the victim and the arrested person formerly were lovers, but the two broke up in March 2024. In May 2024, the arrested person suspected that the victim started a new relationship. Shortly afterwards, several messages containing the personal data of the victim were posted in a personal account of a social media platform on two occasions, alongside some negative comments against her. The personal data disclosed included the victim’s English name, residential address, mobile phone number, photo and the username of her social media account.
The arrested person is granted bail. The PCPD will continue its investigation into the case.
The PCPD reminds members of the public that they should not dox others because of relationship disputes. Doxxing is a serious offence and the offender is liable on conviction to a fine up to $1,000,000 and imprisonment for five 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 two years.
Pursuant to section 64(3C) of the PDPO, a person commits an offence if—
(a) the person discloses any personal data of a data subject without the relevant consent of the data subject—
(i) with an intent to cause any specified harm to the data subject or any family member of the data subject; or
(ii) 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; and
(b) the disclosure causes any specified harm to the data subject or any family member of the data subject.
A person who commits an offence under section 64(3C) is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine of $1,000,000 and imprisonment for five 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－