Media Statements

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) today arrested a Chinese female aged 46 in Kowloon. The arrested person was suspected to have disclosed the personal data of the data subject without her consent, in contravention of section 64(3A) of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO).
 
The PCPD’s investigation revealed that the victim, who is the owner of a number of beauty salons, got acquainted with the arrested person in 2023. Between August and September 2024, the victim and the arrested person signed two contracts, entrusting the arrested person to operate two of the victim’s beauty salons. The remuneration specified in the contracts included bonuses. Later, owing to complaints lodged with the victim against the arrested person, the victim decided to temporarily withhold paying the bonus to the arrested person until the complaints were resolved. A monetary dispute between the victim and the arrested person then ensued.
 
Subsequently in October and November 2024, four messages containing the personal data of the victim were posted in three open discussion groups and a personal account on a social media platform, alongside some negative comments against her. The personal data disclosed included the victim’s partial Chinese name, partial English name, partial Hong Kong Identity Card number, partial residential address, names of her beauty salons and her photos.
 
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 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.