Media Statements

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) today arrested a Chinese male aged 67 in the New Territories. The arrested person was suspected to have disclosed the personal data of a former employee without his consent, in contravention of section 64(3A) of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO).
 
The PCPD’s investigation revealed that the arrested person formerly managed a restaurant which has ceased business, and the victim was an employee of the said restaurant between October and November 2024. There were monetary disputes between the victim and the restaurant after the victim had left his employment, and the victim sought assistance from the Labour Department. In late March 2025, a message containing some negative comments against the victim was posted in a chat group comprising members from the food and beverage industry on an instant messaging application. The post included a partly redacted photo of the victim’s Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID card) which showed his HKID card number, photo, partial Chinese and English names, partial Chinese Commercial Code of the victim’s name, date of birth and gender.
 
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. Moreover, identity cards contain sensitive personal data, and any reckless or intentional disclosure or reposting of copies of identity cards without the data subjects’ consent may constitute a doxxing offence. An 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.