Media Statements

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) last night arrested a 41-year-old Chinese male 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 PCPD’s investigation revealed that the victim borrowed a loan from another person (the Lender) in 2007 for business needs, and the loan was later repaid with interest in the next few years. The Lender passed away in 2023, and his family member subsequently demanded an additional repayment of HK$6,000,000 from the victim as interest and to reflect exchange rate fluctuations, which the victim was unable to pay. In August 2025, a banner and flyers containing the personal data of the victim were displayed on two occasions outside the residential estate where the victim resided, making negative comments against the victim and alleging that the victim failed to repay his debt. The personal data disclosed included the victim’s Chinese name, residential address and photo, as well as a partly redacted copy of the victim’s Hong Kong Identity Card showing his Chinese and English names, date of birth, gender and photo.
 
The arrested person was 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 conflicts. Moreover, identity cards contain sensitive personal data. Any reckless or intentional disclosure of copies of identity cards without the data subjects’ consents 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.