AI software ‘MediSafe’ whistleblower arrested over alleged personal data disclosure

A City University of Hong Kong student who publicly questioned an award-winning student AI medical project has been arrested for allegedly disclosing personal data without consent, according to a social media post she published today (Feb 6).

Hailey Cheng Hei-lam, known as a whistleblower in the “MediSafe” controversy, said she was arrested on Thursday (Feb 5) on suspicion of revealing an individual’s personal data without the data subject’s consent in a disclosure that caused specified harm. She said the case has entered legal proceedings and she is unable to comment further for legal reasons.

The dispute began in June last year after an AI medical platform developed by a Form Four student at St. Paul’s Co-educational College won an award. Cheng later alleged online that the project may have involved ghostwriting, improper use of patient data and third-party copyrighted materials, sparking weeks of public debate.

The project was also accused of involving a US AI company rather than being solely student-developed. Following an investigation, the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education accepted it as an “original concept,” but the student’s parents — both doctors — announced in August 2025 that all related awards would be voluntarily surrendered. The school said it had no prior knowledge of any third-party involvement.

Police have not issued a public statement on the case.

Read more: Award-winning AI software 'Medisafe' allegedly developed from scratch by AI company