Media Statements

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) today arrested a Chinese male aged 46 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 is engaged in cross-boundary vehicle business, including leasing cross-boundary vehicles and handling licence applications for customers. In late November 2025, a total of four messages, including video clips, containing the victim’s personal data and negative comments against him were posted and forwarded to two chat groups comprising members of the same trade on an instant messaging application.
 
The personal data disclosed included the victim’s Chinese and English surnames, English alias, his account name and profile picture of one instant messaging application, the registration numbers of his vehicle in Guangdong and Hong Kong, as well as photos of the victim’s Hong Kong Identity Card, Macao Resident Identity Card, Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, Hong Kong Driving Licence and Driving License of Chinese Mainland, which collectively showed his Chinese and English names, relevant identity card numbers, date of birth, gender, height, address, nationality, signature specimen and photos.
 
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 personal or business disputes. Doxxing is not a means to resolve disputes as it would only escalate conflicts. Moreover, identity cards and other identification documents contain sensitive personal data. Any reckless or intentional disclosure of copies of identification documents 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.