TOPIC

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data

The latest news and top stories on The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data. A prominent Hong Kong-based independent statutory body, the PCPD is dedicated to securing individual privacy regarding personal data. Established in 1996, its primary mission involves overseeing and enforcing the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. Key activities include promoting public awareness, providing guidance on data protection, investigating complaints and enforcing compliance. The PCPD plays a vital role in safeguarding personal data privacy, addressing issues like doxxing and artificial intelligence, and fostering responsible data use across public and private sectors.

Canvas’ parent company Instructure earlier revealed hackers had stolen data from 9,000 institutions around the world. Photo: Getty Images

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong privacy watchdog slams Canvas owner for paying ransom to hackers

Privacy commissioner says Instructure’s payment is a mishandling of crime and firm should invest in boosting cybersecurity instead.

15 May 2026 - 6:10PM

Education in Hong Kong

Canvas reaches deal with hackers to return data, including Hong Kong users

13 May 2026 - 11:47PM

Crime in Hong Kong

Data of 72,571 Hongkongers leaked in Canvas hack, police receive 2 reports so far

12 May 2026 - 8:14PM

Hong Kong society

Editorial | Online privacy guidelines underscore key role of parents and teachers

Practical tips issued by Hong Kong’s Privacy Commissioner are a timely step as children expand their digital footprints more than ever today.

28 Apr 2026 - 7:15AM

Students looking at their mobile phones at Lok Fu MTR station in 2024. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong society

Personal info of 9,045 people compromised in Hong Kong private club data breach

Yau Yat Chuen Garden City Club’s management system rendered inoperable due to ransomware attack that encrypted information system files.

23 Apr 2026 - 10:30PM

Hong Kong society

Filmmaker accuses school of ‘blatantly lying’ in row over documentary screening

Mabel Cheung says she’s shocked after Ying Wa Girls’ School said it had not authorised festival screening of her film To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self.

10 Apr 2026 - 5:08PM

Crime in Hong Kong

Editorial | Breaches reveal worrying gaps in Hong Kong’s data defences

Hong Kong cannot afford these cybersecurity shortcomings as the city strives to become a global hub for innovation and technology.

10 Apr 2026 - 7:15AM

Hong Kong’s privacy watchdog and police are investigating a large-scale data leak involving more than 56,000 patients served by the Hospital Authority. Photo: Edward Wong

Crime in Hong Kong

Police arrest man on suspicion of stealing personal data of 56,000 patients

Employee of Hospital Authority contractor made an unauthorised entry into system and retrieved data.

8 Apr 2026 - 11:38PM

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hospital Authority apologises for data breach involving 56,000 patients

Privacy watchdog and police investigating after patients’ names, identity card numbers, dates of hospital visits and medical procedures leaked.

4 Apr 2026 - 7:58PM

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong prison department’s IT system hacked, 6,800 staffers’ data compromised

Authorities reveal breach occurred on Tuesday, allowing hacker access to names, email addresses, employment history and other personal information.

28 Mar 2026 - 12:21PM

Hong Kong prison authorities have reported the hack to police, the Security Bureau, the city’s privacy watchdog and the Digital Policy Office. Photo: Sun Yeung

Hong Kong society

More websites, mobile apps for children collecting personal data: study

Global investigation examined 876 websites and mobile apps designed specifically for children across multiple sectors.

25 Mar 2026 - 9:23PM

Nearly half of the platforms examined deployed some forms of age assurance, the investigation found. Photo: Winson Wong

Hong Kong science and tech

Fix, don’t fire ‘digital employee’ OpenClaw over security risks: Paul Chan

Finance chief’s remarks follow Digital Policy Office’s advice to government departments to avoid installing AI agent.

16 Mar 2026 - 10:05PM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong government workers warned not to install OpenClaw due to security risks

Digital Policy Office points to potential risks of AI agent, including unauthorised data access, leakage and system intrusion.

13 Mar 2026 - 10:02PM

Crime in Hong Kong

Personal data stolen in ransomware attack on Hong Kong’s Ngong Ping 360 attraction

Company apologises after breach compromises information about staff, annual pass holders, suppliers and tenants at Ngong Ping Village.

27 Feb 2026 - 10:46PM

The operator has said the compromised internal network is separate from the cable car operation system, and safety and electronic payment data remains unaffected. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong plans to revive privacy law requiring firms to report data breaches

Privacy Commissioner Ada Chung says watchdog intends to consult lawmakers this year after legislative reform was put on hold in 2024.

7 Feb 2026 - 8:00PM

Privacy Commissioner Ada Chung says the mandatory breach reporting measures may be carried out in phases. Photo: Jelly Tse

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong whistle-blower in AI app MediSafe saga arrested for alleged doxxing

Hailey Cheng posts message on social media saying she has been arrested in connection with MediSafe saga, with source confirming news.

6 Feb 2026 - 8:41PM

Crime in Hong Kong

Man arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly doxxing peer in industry chat groups

Both the arrestee, 46, and victim are in the cross-boundary vehicle business.

8 Jan 2026 - 6:14PM

Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | Is your PayMe history public? Hong Kong watchdog probes HSBC app privacy risks

One of Hong Kong’s largest e-payment apps, PayMe serves more than 100,000 local and online merchants, from retail shops to taxis across city.

8 Jan 2026 - 4:33PM

PayMe has 3.2 million users and serves more than 100,000 local and online merchants. Photo: Photo: Handout

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong gym’s CCTV by doorless toilet among 200 video surveillance complaints

About 80 per cent of complaints related to disputes between neighbours, Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data reveals.

17 Dec 2025 - 7:59PM

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong launches probe after voters’ personal details posted on social media

Government warns that such acts will not be tolerated, with the Registration and Electoral Office referring case to a law enforcement agency.

21 Nov 2025 - 11:52PM

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong woman held for allegedly doxxing ex-classmate over HK$20 million loan

Privacy watchdog says fliers with victim’s name, Hong Kong ID number, address and photos were circulated after she failed to pay interest.

12 Nov 2025 - 8:29PM

Hong Kong’s anti-doxxing law came into effect in October 2021. Photo: Getty Images

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong man arrested for allegedly posting boss’ personal and debt info online

Former employee, 54, was responsible for managing social media accounts of victim’s company, city’s privacy watchdog reveals.

7 Nov 2025 - 8:53PM

The premises of the Office of Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data in Wan Chai. Photo: Sun Yeung

Hong Kong science and tech

Hong Kong LinkedIn users urged to check privacy settings as AI training to resume

Professional networking site halted training in late 2024 after city’s privacy watchdog raised concerns about platform’s default opt-in data use.

30 Oct 2025 - 3:15PM

Hong Kong society

Store chain Circle K resumes e-payments in Hong Kong a week after cyberattack

Circle K resumes QR, credit card, contactless payments and account top-ups, but bill payment services, loyalty programme functions still down.

1 Oct 2025 - 3:51PM

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

2 Hong Kong public hospital doctors arrested over patient data leak

Police say associate consultant, 35, and consultant, 57, both from Tseung Kwan O Hospital, arrested in Fo Tan and Ho Man Tin.

1 Sep 2025 - 8:14PM

While Tseung Kwan O Hospital issued a statement on Sunday about the suspected data leak, it did not disclose the number of employees or patients involved in the incident. Photo: Winson Wong

Crime in Hong Kong

Lowrys Farm owner, My Jewelry slammed as 138,000 Hongkongers hit in data leaks

Privacy commissioner’s office finds local branch of Adastria failed to activate any security measures provided by software supplier.

21 Aug 2025 - 11:08PM

Adastria owns fashion brands such as Lowrys Farm. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong society

No need to amend law in light of AI porn case, Hong Kong privacy chief says

Existing ordinance covers misuse of personal data in deepfake images, privacy commissioner Ada Chung says.

2 Aug 2025 - 6:50PM

Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong minister calls for stronger moral education after AI porn case at HKU

Christine Choi hopes universities will seize opportunity to teach students how they can meet societal expectations and become future pillars of society.

17 Jul 2025 - 2:43PM

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data

Hong Kong privacy watchdog slams Canvas owner for paying ransom to hackers

Privacy commissioner says Instructure’s payment is a mishandling of crime and firm should invest in boosting cybersecurity instead.

Canvas reaches deal with hackers to return data, including Hong Kong users

Data of 72,571 Hongkongers leaked in Canvas hack, police receive 2 reports so far

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Online privacy guidelines underscore key role of parents and teachers

Practical tips issued by Hong Kong’s Privacy Commissioner are a timely step as children expand their digital footprints more than ever today.

Personal info of 9,045 people compromised in Hong Kong private club data breach

Yau Yat Chuen Garden City Club’s management system rendered inoperable due to ransomware attack that encrypted information system files.

Filmmaker accuses school of ‘blatantly lying’ in row over documentary screening

Mabel Cheung says she’s shocked after Ying Wa Girls’ School said it had not authorised festival screening of her film To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self.

Editorial | Breaches reveal worrying gaps in Hong Kong’s data defences

Hong Kong cannot afford these cybersecurity shortcomings as the city strives to become a global hub for innovation and technology.

Police arrest man on suspicion of stealing personal data of 56,000 patients

Employee of Hospital Authority contractor made an unauthorised entry into system and retrieved data.

Hospital Authority apologises for data breach involving 56,000 patients

Privacy watchdog and police investigating after patients’ names, identity card numbers, dates of hospital visits and medical procedures leaked.

Hong Kong prison department’s IT system hacked, 6,800 staffers’ data compromised

Authorities reveal breach occurred on Tuesday, allowing hacker access to names, email addresses, employment history and other personal information.

More websites, mobile apps for children collecting personal data: study

Global investigation examined 876 websites and mobile apps designed specifically for children across multiple sectors.

Fix, don’t fire ‘digital employee’ OpenClaw over security risks: Paul Chan

Finance chief’s remarks follow Digital Policy Office’s advice to government departments to avoid installing AI agent.

Hong Kong government workers warned not to install OpenClaw due to security risks

Digital Policy Office points to potential risks of AI agent, including unauthorised data access, leakage and system intrusion.

Personal data stolen in ransomware attack on Hong Kong’s Ngong Ping 360 attraction

Company apologises after breach compromises information about staff, annual pass holders, suppliers and tenants at Ngong Ping Village.

Hong Kong plans to revive privacy law requiring firms to report data breaches

Privacy Commissioner Ada Chung says watchdog intends to consult lawmakers this year after legislative reform was put on hold in 2024.

Hong Kong whistle-blower in AI app MediSafe saga arrested for alleged doxxing

Hailey Cheng posts message on social media saying she has been arrested in connection with MediSafe saga, with source confirming news.

Man arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly doxxing peer in industry chat groups

Both the arrestee, 46, and victim are in the cross-boundary vehicle business.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Is your PayMe history public? Hong Kong watchdog probes HSBC app privacy risks

One of Hong Kong’s largest e-payment apps, PayMe serves more than 100,000 local and online merchants, from retail shops to taxis across city.

Hong Kong gym’s CCTV by doorless toilet among 200 video surveillance complaints

About 80 per cent of complaints related to disputes between neighbours, Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data reveals.

Hong Kong launches probe after voters’ personal details posted on social media

Government warns that such acts will not be tolerated, with the Registration and Electoral Office referring case to a law enforcement agency.

Hong Kong woman held for allegedly doxxing ex-classmate over HK$20 million loan

Privacy watchdog says fliers with victim’s name, Hong Kong ID number, address and photos were circulated after she failed to pay interest.

Hong Kong man arrested for allegedly posting boss’ personal and debt info online

Former employee, 54, was responsible for managing social media accounts of victim’s company, city’s privacy watchdog reveals.

Hong Kong LinkedIn users urged to check privacy settings as AI training to resume

Professional networking site halted training in late 2024 after city’s privacy watchdog raised concerns about platform’s default opt-in data use.

Store chain Circle K resumes e-payments in Hong Kong a week after cyberattack

Circle K resumes QR, credit card, contactless payments and account top-ups, but bill payment services, loyalty programme functions still down.

2 Hong Kong public hospital doctors arrested over patient data leak

Police say associate consultant, 35, and consultant, 57, both from Tseung Kwan O Hospital, arrested in Fo Tan and Ho Man Tin.

Lowrys Farm owner, My Jewelry slammed as 138,000 Hongkongers hit in data leaks

Privacy commissioner’s office finds local branch of Adastria failed to activate any security measures provided by software supplier.

No need to amend law in light of AI porn case, Hong Kong privacy chief says

Existing ordinance covers misuse of personal data in deepfake images, privacy commissioner Ada Chung says.

Hong Kong minister calls for stronger moral education after AI porn case at HKU

Christine Choi hopes universities will seize opportunity to teach students how they can meet societal expectations and become future pillars of society.

Editorial | Online privacy guidelines underscore key role of parents and teachers

Exclusive | Is your PayMe history public? Hong Kong watchdog probes HSBC app privacy risks