The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) today arrested a Chinese female aged 31in the New Territories. The arrested person was suspected to have disclosed the personal data of a customer without her consent, in contravention of section 64(3A) of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO).

The PCPD’s investigation revealed that the victim purchased beauty products from an online platform (the Platform) in November 2024 and received a parcel (the Parcel) from the Shop a few days later. However, instead of the products she ordered, the Parcel contained pieces of jewelleries. Thereafter, the victim received messages sent through an instant messaging application demanding her to return the Parcel; otherwise, the incident would be disclosed on a social media platform.

On the following two days, a total of seven posts containing the personal data of the victim were posted on the Platform’s social media account, alongside some negative comments against her. Some of the posts also offered monetary reward to netizens who could provide more personal data of the victim or forward the relevant posts. The personal data disclosed included the victim’s English name, date of birth, mobile phone number, usernames of two of her social media accounts, the district and the name of the building where she resides, the name of the secondary school that she attended, 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 a serious offence and the offender is liable on conviction to a fine up to $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 $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
3. 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 $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.

https://www.pcpd.org.hk/english/news_events/media_statements/press_20250310.html