Hong Kong adopts broad anti-doxxing law

Doxxing, publishing private or identifying information about an individual with malicious intent, is now a criminal offence, punishable by up to a HK$1 million fine and a five-year jail sentence. By Allan Chiang, Barrister, Hong Kong.

In the 12 months following June 2019, Hong Kong underwent major social unrests triggered by the government’s proposal to introduce amendments to the Fugitive Offenders and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance. These amendments were to allow Hong Kong to surrender fugitives on a case-by-case basis to jurisdictions that do not have long-term rendition agreements with it, including the Chinese mainland and Taiwan. During this period, doxing(1) was rampant, with doxxers attacking those holding political stances different from theirs. In particular, there were widespread vicious attacks against top government officials and police officers (and their family members) who were thrust into the limelight for maintaining public order.

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