HK woman, 23, arrested for doxxing ex-boyfriend

A 23-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly doxxing her ex-boyfriend over relationship disputes, violating the privacy laws, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data said today.

The woman allegedly revealed her ex-boyfriend’s personal information on social media, including a photo of his university student card, and that netizens were “incited” to like the posts, the privacy watchdog said.

The office’s investigation revealed that the arrestee and the victim were in an intimate relationship that terminated in mid-April this year. After that, the victim started another relationship with another woman.

Personal info disclosed on social media platform

In late April, three social media posts containing personal data of the ex-boyfriend were published in a personal account on an online platform, with negative comments about him.

The data disclosed included the victim’s Chinese name, partial English name, gender, photos, username of his account, the names of the universities and courses he attended.

Also made public was a photo of the victim’s university student card showing his Chinese name, English name, photo, the university and the course that he enrolled in.

Netizens encouraged to engage with posts

Netizens were incited to “like” the posts in exchange for further disclosure of the victim’s personal data, according to the watchdog.

The victim lodged a complaint with the privacy office following the incident.

The woman was arrested in New Territories today for contravention of section 64(3A) of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. She has been released on bail pending further investigation.

‘Don’t dox others because of relationship disputes’: Watchdog

The privacy watchdog reminds members of the public that “they should not dox others because of relationship disputes, and should also not incite netizens to endorse illegal doxxing acts.”

Doxxing is a serious offence and the offender is liable on conviction to a fine up to $1,000,000 and imprisonment for five years.

(Jamie Liu)