Law change sees doxxing cases plunge

The number of doxxing cases dropped by more than half after the amended privacy law took effect in 2021.

Speaking in a Legislative Council panel meeting, Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data Ada Chung Lai-ling said her office handled 756 cases last year, a significant drop of 57 percent compared to 1,764 cases in 2022.

The drop was mainly due to a plunge of nearly 80 percent in the number of cases detected through internet patrols, from 1,134 in 2022 to 231.

The PCPD also issued 378 cessation notices to 23 online platforms requesting the removal of more than 10,600 doxxing messages. The compliance rate was over 95 percent.

Replying to concerns by Nixie Lam Lam about the timeliness of the removals, Chung said most were removed within two working days after notices were issued, and the 5 percent non-compliance cases were mostly delayed in time.

"To combat doxxing, we will enhance training in cyber crime investigation and digital evidence collection," Chung said, adding talks would continue in schools to raise awareness.

Equal Opportunities Commission chairman Ricky Chu Man-kin said a total of 1,050 complaints were received last year.

Along with unresolved complaints from 2022, the commission handled 1,331 cases, with 70 percent related to employment.

It took 90 days on average to handle a case, half of its targeted 180 days, while 90 percent of complaints were handled within six months.

"Of concluded complaints, 148 proceeded to conciliation, with 121 successfully conciliated," Chu said, adding that payment secured through conciliation efforts exceeding HK$4.75 million.

The EOC also handled 16 applications for legal services, with seven given legal assistance.

Chu said prevention of sexual harassment has been a focus, after it saw 498 inquiries last year - over half filed by complainants seeking redress.

Over 12,000 students from the eight public universities finished an online anti-sexual harassment program last year, with the EOC calling on student orientation organizers to get training as well.