Letters | Hong Kong’s doxxing law is in place, but do residents understand it?

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Hong Kong’s anti-doxxing bill came into effect in October last year and the first arrest was made in December. But do Hongkongers know what doxxing really means? How aware are they of the bill and what it entails?

Doxxing is commonly understood as the seeking and publishing of personal data without consent, often with the aim of publicly shaming the targets for their alleged wrongdoing. The word “doxx” or “dox” originates from “docs”, short for “documents”. In Hong Kong, doxxing has existed since before social media.

It has, however, attracted increasing media coverage since the 2019 social movement when the personal data of police officers, protesters, journalists and their families was published, unauthorised, on various online platforms.

Despite its potential to cause psychological and physical harm, doxxing has been used in the name of social justice and morality. In mainland China, the “human flesh search engine” – internet users collectively gathering targets’ personal information – has helped to expose illegal acts and bring down corrupt officials.