Media Statements

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) today arrested a Chinese female aged 60 on Hong Kong Island. The arrested person was suspected to have disclosed the personal data of a former schoolmate without her consent, in contravention of section 64(3A) of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO).
 
The PCPD’s investigation revealed that the victim and the arrested person formerly acquainted with each other while attending the same secondary school. They met again in 2018 when the victim borrowed money from the arrested person because of financial difficulties in operating her factory at the time. The victim promised to pay interest to the arrested person every month and the victim subsequently borrowed more money from the arrested person, with the loan amount totaling approximately HK$20,000,000. Since early 2025, however, the victim failed to pay interest to the arrested person. Subsequently, between April and May 2025, a neighbour of the victim received a total of three different flyers by mail, making some adverse comments against the victim and alleging that the victim failed to repay her debt. The flyers also disclosed her personal data, including the victim’s Chinese name, Hong Kong Identity Card number, residential address 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 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.