Media Statements

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) today arrested a Chinese male aged 61 in the New Territories. The arrested person was suspected to have disclosed the personal data of a customer without her consent, in contravention of section 64(3A) of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO).

The PCPD’s investigation revealed that the arrested person operates an engineering company. In December 2024, the victim made an enquiry with the said engineering company regarding some household inspection and repair works, and the arrested person accepted the victim’s offered price in a telephone reply. However, the arrested person raised the quotation upon inspection at the victim’s residence on the same day, which led to a heated dispute between the two during which the arrested person took photos of the victim.

Soon after, two posts containing the personal data of the victim were published respectively in a public and a private discussion group on a social media platform, alongside some negative comments against her. The personal data disclosed included the victim’s photo, complete residential address and the homophonic character of her Chinese surname. The victim lodged a complaint with the PCPD subsequently.

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 consumer 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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