Hong Kong police admit officer showing reporter’s ID to live-streaming camera during protest was ‘inappropriate’
- Journalist was covering unrest in Tai Po when police checked his ID and an officer displayed his personal information to about 10,000 viewers
- Privacy watchdog has already promised a ‘proactive investigation’
“There was something inappropriate about the police officer who was responsible for stopping and searching [the reporter],” Chief Superintendent Kenneth Kwok Ka-chuen of the police public relations branch said at the force’s regular briefing.
“Police will actively look into the incident and will also cooperate with the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data when needed.”
Kwok would not say whether the officer in question, who was still on duty, had broken the law.
On Friday morning, Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data Stephen Wong Kai-yi said his office had not yet received a complaint, but would “launch a proactive investigation” after what he called “prima facie evidence” the law had been broken.
Wong was responding after two journalists’ groups in the city condemned the officer’s actions and claimed he had effectively doxxed Stand News reporter Ronson Chan.