Media Statements

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) today arrested a Chinese male aged 32 in Kowloon. The arrested person was suspected to have disclosed the personal data of his estranged wife and her daughter without the wife’s consent, in contravention of section 64(3A) of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO).
 
The PCPD’s investigation revealed that the victim is the arrested person’s estranged wife. The victim found out that she was pregnant after separating from the arrested person in early 2024, and gave birth to a daughter at the end of the same year.
 
Subsequently in May 2025, two messages as well as some comments containing the personal data of the victim and her daughter were posted in an open discussion group and a personal account on a social media platform questioning the blood relationship between the arrested person and the baby girl, and making negative comments about the victim. Among others, a copy of an alleged DNA Report was uploaded.
 
The personal data disclosed included the Chinese name, English name, Hong Kong Identity Card number, residential address, photos and a video of the victim depicting her face, alongside the username of her social media account, her former occupation and job title. The baby girl’s Chinese name, English name and a photo depicting her face were also disclosed.
 
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 family 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.