Hong Kong’s privacy watchdog arrests woman, 27, for suspected doxxing after she allegedly posted personal details of friend’s ex-boyfriend online
- According to watchdog, post with victim’s personal details and negative comments found on social media platform
- Details include man’s Chinese name, company and residential addresses and mobile phone number
Hong Kong’s privacy watchdog has arrested a 27-year-old woman on suspicion of doxxing after she allegedly posted the personal details of her friend’s ex-boyfriend on social media.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data on Wednesday said it arrested the woman following an investigation. She was later granted bail.
According to the investigation, the woman became acquainted with the victim through his ex-girlfriend in February 2022. That July, the man broke off the relationship and in the same month, a post containing his personal details with negative comments about him was found on a social media platform.
The personal data included the victim’s Chinese name, company and residential addresses, mobile phone number, social media account and photos, according to the commissioner.
The woman is suspected of breaching section 64(3A) of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, a clause related to doxxing, by allegedly disclosing the man’s personal details without his consent. A person who commits an offence under the section is liable on conviction to a fine of HK$100,000 (US$12,740) and imprisonment for two years.
The watchdog said the investigation was ongoing.
The privacy commissioner has arrested 21 people since the new anti-doxxing law took effect in October 2021, and laid charges in nine of the cases, with others still under investigation.
