Hong Kong Legislative passed Anti-Doxxing Bill to safeguard Privacy but limiting Human Freedom Rights

WhatsAppWhatsAppFacebookFacebookTwitterTwitterPinterestPinterestRedditRedditGmailGmailShareShare

Hong KongHong Kong Hong Kong – On Wednesday, Hong Kong’s legislature passed a privacy law tackling “doxxing” law. It simply means that public release of information identifying an individual or organization, could be used to protect those in power and target civil society.

Being in effect from today, the regional government grants permission to privacy watchdogs to prosecute doxxing-related offences. If anyone is found to be breaching the law or law over exercising their limits, they will be liable for jail terms of up to five years and fines of up to HK$1 million.

An officer from Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD), the domestic data protection regulator, mentions that anyone who discloses the personal data of another person without consent, whether recklessly or with intent to cause specified harm to the person or his or her family, such as harassment, molestation, pestering, threat, intimidation, bodily or psychological harm or damage to property, commits the offence of doxxing.

The legislature further stated that given the boundless nature of the internet, an extra-territorial effect is also introduced such that a cessation notice can be served by the commissioner regardless of whether the disclosure is made in Hong Kong or not.

Related Posts

The supporters of the passing of doxxing law claim that the law should have been brought into action long back due to the problems that arose during the massive pro-democracy movement that had rocked Hong Kong in 2019. This law would have safeguarded private information of the locals and would have helped to downsize the massive protest.

It is a significant step to pass this law, since during the protest last year, home addresses of police officers and information regarding their children’s schools were made public by protesters which had lead to the families of those officers receiving regular threats and public humility. Looking back in July, the internet sector raised concerns over the vague definition of doxxing and the rise in content-blocking. Since the the government escalated stern steps and its hardline approach to pass this bill and implement it progressively.

About Shreya Shah

Shreya Shah is a multimedia journalist and a passionate writer in The Workers Rights. Her passion for journalism helps the media to share important stories.

Shreya Shah

Shreya Shah is a multimedia journalist and a passionate writer in The Workers Rights. Her passion for journalism helps the media to share important stories.

Recent Posts

UK Defence Boost to Create Scottish Jobs, Says Reeves

During the Babcock Fife visit, Chancellor Rachel Reeves raised UK export finance program funds by £2 billion. The new funding…

March 14, 2025

Tamil Nadu Govt Announces ₹20,000 for Every Gig Workers to Purchase E-Scooters

In a major decision, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu presented a new scheme in the state’s 2025-26 budget through…

March 14, 2025

Tesla Expands Autonomous Testing Fleet in California

Tesla started operating 224 driver trainers with 104 vehicles under its autonomous driving test permit in December in California. In…

March 14, 2025

Federal Judge Halts Trump’s Agency Staff Purge, Orders Reinstatements

Judge William Alsup finds federal government should restore positions to all probationary workers whose employment ended unlawfully. On Thursday a…

March 13, 2025

New UK Immigration Rules: Care Firms Must Hire Local Migrant Workers First

The UK government has brought in new regulations for employing staff within the care industry. From April 9, 2025 care…

March 13, 2025

Afghan Migrants in Panama: Facing Hard Choices and an Uncertain Future

Afghan migrants deported from the United States to Panama now face an uncertain future. Many of these deportees feel stranded…

March 13, 2025