Privacy watchdog arrests man for doxxing former colleague

The privacy watchdog arrested a 65-year-old man on Thursday for allegedly disclosing the personal details of his former co-worker on social media after a dispute broke out in February this year. 

An investigation by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) revealed that an argument between the victim, who had been working  for the company since 2023, and his co-worker, the arrested man, erupted earlier this year with the arrested man having resigned from the company in early March.

Subsequently, a message containing some allegations against the victim was posted on a social media platform around mid-March, along with his personal details.

The personal data disclosed included the victim’s Chinese name, English surname and alias, mobile phone number, job title, office address, office telephone number, business email address and photo. The email address also showed the name of the victim's company.

The PCPD then arrested the 65-year-old Chinese man in the New Territories on suspicion of having disclosed the personal data of a data subject without consent.

The arrested person has been granted bail while the investigation is ongoing.

The watchdog warns members of the public that they should not dox others because of personal disputes and that anyone who commits doxxing is liable to a fine of HK$1,000,000 and imprisonment for a maximum of five years.