Date: 11 August 2026
A 37-year-old Male Arrested for Suspected Doxxing
of a Former Restaurant Owner and an Agent Arising from Monetary Disputes
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) today arrested a Chinese male aged 37 in the New Territories. The arrested person was suspected to have disclosed the personal data of two data subjects without their consent, in contravention of section 64(3A) of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO).
The PCPD’s investigation revealed that in March 2025 the arrested person, who engaged in the wholesale food business, became acquainted with the male victim, who was operating a restaurant (Restaurant) at that time, through the female victim’s consultancy company. The arrested person subsequently supplied frozen meat to the Restaurant between March and May of the same year. A monetary dispute later arose between the arrested person and the male victim following the default in payment by the Restaurant and because the parties were unable to reach an agreement regarding repayment. The Restaurant ultimately closed down in late May 2025.
In late May 2026, a message was posted in a personal account on a social media platform, together with photos of the male victim and his family members, a screencap of the registration record of his former company, alongside negative comments accusing the male victim of failing to repay a debt and calling on netizens to locate him. The personal data disclosed included the male victim’s English name, the names of the schools he had attended, his vehicle registration mark, his photos, as well as the name and registered address of his former company. One day later, another message was posted on the same social media platform using the same personal account, together with negative comments accusing the female victim of failing to repay a debt. The female victim’s personal data, including her English alias, phone number and the name of her consultancy company, was also disclosed.
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, 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—
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with an intent to cause any specified harm to the data subject or any family member of the data subject; or
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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—
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the person discloses any personal data of a data subject without the relevant consent of the data subject—
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with an intent to cause any specified harm to the data subject or any family member of the data subject; or
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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
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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—
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harassment, molestation, pestering, threat or intimidation to the person;
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bodily harm or psychological harm to the person;
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harm causing the person reasonably to be concerned for the person’s safety or well-being; or
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damage to the property of the person.