Extreme caution urged for Hongkongers as data privacy complaints jump 62% in AI era

Hongkongers are being advised to be extremely cautious about safeguarding their personal data, particularly when engaging in online shopping and joining membership programs, according to the city's privacy watchdog. The number of privacy complaints has surged by more than 60 percent year on year in the first half of 2026, reaching 2,990 cases, a significant rise from the previous year.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data identified the technology sector as the most affected, with 867 complaints. Ada Chung Lai-ling, the Privacy Commissioner, attributed the increase to the rapid and large-scale collection, processing, and use of data in the AI era, which has led to more online disputes. She emphasized that personal data is highly valuable, sought after, and tradeable.

Chung urged the public to think twice before sharing their personal information, stressing that it is crucial to consider whether it is truly necessary before shopping online or signing up for membership programs. Since the enactment of a law criminalizing doxxing in 2021, 3,600 cases have been handled, with 2,100 cessation notices issued, achieving a 96 percent removal rate.

While doxxing-related complaints in the first half of 2026 dropped sharply to 144 from several thousand cases in 2021, Chung cautioned against engaging in "public trials" on social media by making casual accusations against individuals using their online photos and information. She warned that using others' personal data on social media without consent could inadvertently breach privacy.