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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.

Hong Kong’s privacy watchdog has warned of suspected fraudulent e-visa application websites. Photo: Getty Images

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong warns of scam sites posing as Canada, UK and Thailand e-visa portals

Privacy watchdog says fake sites often use URLs with spelling mistakes, extra letters or numbers.

4 Aug 2026 - 7:27PM

Hong Kong society

Dashcam row allegedly involving singer David Lui could be referred to police

13 Jul 2026 - 7:05PM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong watchdog orders removal of viral video allegedly showing singer David Lui

10 Jul 2026 - 8:29PM

Hong Kong society

Fine firms for data breaches, Hong Kong cybersecurity experts urge

Call comes after personal information of more than 1 million people linked to leading appliance distributor was maliciously encrypted.

3 Jul 2026 - 8:57PM

The city’s privacy watchdog has launched an investigation into the breach earlier reported by Shun Hing Group. Photo: Getty Images

Crime in Hong Kong

Cyberattack on Hong Kong’s Shun Hing Group affects data of 1 million people

Personal information of more than 920,000 customers, including their names, addresses and email addresses, involved in breach.

3 Jul 2026 - 1:21AM

Hong Kong society

Data leak fears after ransomware attack hits Hong Kong’s Kee Wah Bakery

Privacy watchdog seeks details to assess risks as the company alerts staff, customers and suppliers.

17 Jun 2026 - 5:49PM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong watchdog launches data privacy academy to develop top talent in sector

City’s privacy commissioner says move aligns with national plan to develop Hong Kong into global talent hub while addressing new AI challenges.

16 Jun 2026 - 7:22PM

(From left) Undersecretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Clement Woo; Liu Chunhua, director general of legal affairs of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong; justice minister Paul Lam; Li Yongsheng, deputy commissioner of the Chinese foreign ministry's office in Hong Kong; and privacy chief Ada Chung. May Tse

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong privacy watchdog warns of fake retailer compensation call scam

Customers duped by fraudsters posing as Built-in Pro staff using personal data, with one victim losing HK$17,000.

21 May 2026 - 11:08PM

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

Parent company Instructure says hackers returned and destroyed data of thousands of users after deal, with no extortion expected after breach.

13 May 2026 - 11:47PM

Instructure, the parent company of Canvas, says it has reached a deal with hackers to return and destroy compromised data. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Crime in Hong Kong

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

Breach is part of wider global data leak that has affected universities and schools worldwide, with estimated 9,000 institutions impacted.

12 May 2026 - 8:14PM

As of Tuesday, seven local educational institutions had reported data breaches to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data. Photo: Jelly Tse

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

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

Acclaimed filmmaker Mabel Cheung has slammed Ying Wa Girls’ School over the documentary’s screening in Italy. Photo: Sam Tsang

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

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

OpenClaw functions as a proactive assistant – once permissions are granted, it controls applications, organises files, processes emails, sorts data and executes coding workflows. Photo: Getty Images

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

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

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data in Wan Chai. Photo:Jelly Tse

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

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The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data

Hong Kong warns of scam sites posing as Canada, UK and Thailand e-visa portals

Privacy watchdog says fake sites often use URLs with spelling mistakes, extra letters or numbers.

Dashcam row allegedly involving singer David Lui could be referred to police

Hong Kong watchdog orders removal of viral video allegedly showing singer David Lui

Fine firms for data breaches, Hong Kong cybersecurity experts urge

Call comes after personal information of more than 1 million people linked to leading appliance distributor was maliciously encrypted.

Cyberattack on Hong Kong’s Shun Hing Group affects data of 1 million people

Personal information of more than 920,000 customers, including their names, addresses and email addresses, involved in breach.

Data leak fears after ransomware attack hits Hong Kong’s Kee Wah Bakery

Privacy watchdog seeks details to assess risks as the company alerts staff, customers and suppliers.

Hong Kong watchdog launches data privacy academy to develop top talent in sector

City’s privacy commissioner says move aligns with national plan to develop Hong Kong into global talent hub while addressing new AI challenges.

Hong Kong privacy watchdog warns of fake retailer compensation call scam

Customers duped by fraudsters posing as Built-in Pro staff using personal data, with one victim losing HK$17,000.

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

Parent company Instructure says hackers returned and destroyed data of thousands of users after deal, with no extortion expected after breach.

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

Breach is part of wider global data leak that has affected universities and schools worldwide, with estimated 9,000 institutions impacted.

.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-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}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.

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