Woman arrested for doxxing staffer of real estate agency

A 58-year-old woman was arrested on Tuesday for she was suspected to have disclosed the personal data of a staffer of a real estate agency without consent. 

Investigation by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) revealed that the victim was an assistant of a real estate agency. 

Last September, through the assistance of the victim, the arrested woman purchased a pre-sale residential unit. At the woman’s request, the victim signed an undertaking and provided the woman with a copy of her Hong Kong identity card. The woman also took a photo of the victim holding the said undertaking. 

In November, the photo together with a copy of the victim’s HKID card and business card were found circulating in several groups in an instant messaging app and were posted on an online forum. 

The personal data disclosed included the victim’s phone number, position and company name, as well as a copy of the her HKID card, which showed particulars of her Chinese name, English name, HKID card number, date of birth, gender and a photo of her. 

The woman has been released on bail. The PCPD said it will continue the investigation into the case. 

The PCPD reminds the public that doxxing is a serious offense and offenders could face a HK$1 million fine and five years’ imprisonment upon conviction.