Media Statements

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) today arrested a Chinese male aged 57 in the New Territories. The arrested person was suspected to have disclosed the personal data of the data subject without his consent, in contravention of section 64(3A) of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO).
 
The case involves a chat group on an instant messaging application for practitioners of the taxi industry (the Group). The PCPD’s investigation revealed that the arrested person was an administrator of the Group, and the victim was a taxi driver. When the victim joined the Group in April 2025, he sent a photo of his Taxi Driver Identity Plate to the Group’s administrator.
 
In mid-May 2025, the victim had a dispute with another person over whether there was any outstanding taxi rent. In late May 2025, messages containing the personal data of the victim were sent to the Group, alongside some negative comments against the victim, including the allegations that the victim owed taxi rent and other fees. Members of the Group were also encouraged to forward the relevant messages to others. The personal data disclosed included the victim’s Chinese name, mobile phone number, the vehicle registration mark of the taxi rented by the victim, and a photo of the victim’s Taxi Driver Identity Plate showing his Chinese name, English name, photo and his Taxi Driver Identity Plate number.
 
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 monetary disputes. Doxxing is not a means to resolve disputes as it would only escalate conflict. Moreover, doxxing is a serious offence and the offender is liable on conviction to a fine up to HK$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 HK$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 HK$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.