Two Men Arrested for Suspected Doxxing Arising from Monetary Disputes

Two Men Arrested for Suspected Doxxing Arising from Monetary Disputes

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) today arrested a Chinese male aged 48 (arrested person A) and a Chinese male aged 20 in the New Territories and Kowloon respectively. The two arrested persons were 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 operates a real estate agency business. In 2025, arrested person A and the victim jointly purchased a unit of a village house as an investment. Shortly thereafter, arrested person A sought to withdraw from the investment and requested the victim to refund his contribution with interest, but no agreement could be reached between them. In January 2026, two different flyers were posted outside the premises of the victim's company, alongside some negative comments against the victim, accusing him of failing to repay a debt and disclosing the victim's personal data including the victim's Chinese name and photos, including a photo of the victim's family members.

The two arrested persons were 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-

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

1. 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.