Hong Kong privacy watchdog investigates data leaks linked to airlines and retailers

Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data has received notifications and logged complaints about breaches involving Hong Kong Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, Yoho Hong Kong and Broadway.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data states it has received multiple notifications of data breaches involving Hong Kong Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, as well as electronics retailers Yoho Hong Kong and Broadway. As at 30th October the authority logged 51 complaints and 48 enquiries related to these incidents, with reported financial losses ranging from about HK$10,000 to more than HK$1.5 million. Formal investigations are under way and the commissioner warned of potential fraudsters exploiting leaked information for phishing and precision scams.