Media Statements

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) today arrested a Chinese male aged 73 on Hong Kong Island. The arrested person was suspected to have disclosed the personal data of a data subject without the latter’s 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 became acquainted through business dealings. Since 2022, business disputes arose between the victim and a business partner, with both litigating against the other for compensation. In January 2025, the victim’s wife received messages from an instant messaging application, stating that the disputes would be escalated, with banners openly displayed. Soon after, the victim’s wife saw someone displaying a banner containing the victim’s personal data in the residential estate where the victim and his wife resided, alongside some negative comments against the victim. The personal data disclosed included the victim’s Chinese name, address and photo.
 
The arrested person is granted bail. The PCPD will continue investigating the case.
 
The PCPD reminds members of the public that they should not dox others because of monetary 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—

1. with an intent to cause any specified harm to the data subject or any family member of the data subject; or
2. 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—

1. the person discloses any personal data of a data subject without the relevant consent of the data subject—

1. with an intent to cause any specified harm to the data subject or any family member of the data subject; or
2. 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

2. 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—

1. harassment, molestation, pestering, threat or intimidation to the person;
2. bodily harm or psychological harm to the person;
3. harm causing the person reasonably to be concerned for the person’s safety or well-being; or
4. damage to the property of the person.

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