Search
START TYPING AND PRESS ENTER TO SEARCH
Close Menu
Thursday, June 25

To combat doxing acts, the “Personal Data (Privacy) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021” has come into effect. The ordinance introduces the two-tier offence

What is "online doxxing"?

“Online doxxing” generally refers to the personal data of the target person or their family members collected from different sources and disclosed on the Internet, social platforms or other public platforms without the consent of the relevant data subject. 

Common doxxing methods include using a “search engine”, “human flesh search”, through “betraying friends”, using hacking tools to steal personal data, etc.

In a typical doxxing case, the personal data to be disclosed include:

  • Photo
  • Identification document number
  • Date of birth
  • Occupation
  • Mobile phone number
  • Address
  • Name of family members

In addition to the disclosure of personal information, some victims will receive threatening calls, being bullied on the Internet or have their identities stolen. The personal data of some victims will be used for applying loans, online shopping, or registration of organ donations, causing continuous and serious distress to the victims and even their families.

Legal Consequences

In addition to being immoral, doxxing may also bring serious legal consequences:

Criminalization of "Doxxing"

To combat doxing acts, the “Personal Data (Privacy) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021” has come into effect. The ordinance introduces the two-tier offence:

First Tier Offence – Triable summarily

A person who discloses personal data without the data subject’s consent, and the discloser intentionally or recklessly cause the data subject or any of his family members to suffer any specified harm (see below) commits an offence. Upon conviction, the offender is liable to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for 2 years.

Second Tier Offence –Triable upon indictment

A person who discloses personal data without the data subject’s consent, intentionally or recklessly causing the data subject or any of his family members to suffer any specified harm (see below), and causes the data subject or any of his family members to suffer any specified harm commits an offence. Upon conviction, the offender is liable to a maximum fine of HK$1,000,000 and imprisonment for 5 years.

Specified harm includes:

  • harassment, molestation, pestering, threat or intimidation to the person;
  • bodily harm or psychological harm to the person;
  • harm causing the person reasonably to be concerned for the person’s safety or well-being; or
  • damage to the property of the person.

If you violate the injunction order, you may be charged with contempt of court

If the court has issued an injunction order prohibiting anyone from disclosing the personal information of the designated person without the consent of the relevant person, or threatening and harassing him or his family members, the offender may be charged with contempt of the court. Once convicted, he can be sentenced to imprisonment.

Or to bear civil liability

Doxxing brings anxiety, distress and heavy pressure to the victim, and the reputation of the victim is often damaged. Victims can file a civil lawsuit to seek compensation from the “doxxing”.

You may be interest in

Story

Stories Chinese Version Only 甜甜圈的秘密 手機群組「甜甜圈」暗藏甚麼秘密？ 俊南和邦邦十分嫉妒插班生甘杰，於是在「甜甜圈」內發放惡意訊息詆譭他，又和其他同學一起排擠他。被多番嘲笑和騷擾後，甘杰忽然缺席，到底發生了甚麼事？網絡欺凌對受害者有甚麼影響？加害者又要面對甚麼後果？ 有聲繪本 https://youtu.be/ORaNI0R6J9E AI 機械人大對決 誰會勝出AI機械人大賽? 全校期待的「AI機械人智取表情包大賽」舉行在即，邦邦和小玄的機械人「超級01號」卻突然失靈，究竟是機件故障抑或被黑客入侵？他們能否在「IT魔術師」的協助下化險為夷並找出真相？他們又學會了怎麼提升網絡安全的秘訣？ 有聲繪本 https://youtu.be/eTzRjbGXSaA 社交陷阱…

Abusive Online Content

In the digital age, teenagers have started to use the Internet since their childhood. Online content…

Voyeurism Offence

To plug the loopholes and combat voyeurism, unlawful recording and publication of intimate images without consent,…

Child pornography

According to Cap. 579 Prevention of Child Pornography Ordinance, a child means Child pornography What is…

Online Child Sexual Grooming

Online Child Sexual Grooming means that sex offenders use the Internet to systematically deploy methods for…

Digital Literacy

In the digital age, adults and teenagers rely on the Internet in their studies and daily…

Cyber-bullying

Cyber-bullying refers to deliberately and repeatedly offending or causing nuisance that involves Cyber-bullying Cyber-bullying refers to…

Netiquette

The term, Netiquette, has been mentioned as early as 1994 in the writing of Virginia Shea.…

Social Media Platforms and Video Channels

Facebook Youtube Instagram Whatsapp
© 2026 CyberDefender. All rights reserved

Sign up for web hosting today!

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.