Hong Kong police exposed to death threats as public trust in force breaks down

The harassment started with nuisance phone calls – more than 4,000 in two days to a personal number for Vincent, a Hong Kong police officer.

Spam messages piled up; he’d been added to random chat groups on WhatsApp. Then, the anonymous death threats arrived – in texts to his whole family, and in letters sent to his home.

“I know where you all go to work,” read one message. “I will come to kill you.”

Vincent – who requested a pseudonym to protect his privacy – is among the nearly 3,000 police officers and family members who have had their personal details leaked online by activists, a practice known as “doxxing,” as increasingly violent protests continue to snarl Hong Kong.

“I feel exposed,” says…

To continue reading this article

Start a 30-day free trial for unlimited access to Premium articles

Unlimited access to Premium articles
Subscriber-only events and experiences
Cancel any time

Free for 30 days

then only £2 per week

Try Premium

Save 25% with an annual subscription

Just £75 per year

Save now

Register for free and access one Premium article per week

Only subscribers have unlimited access to Premium articles.Register for free to continue reading this article
RegisterOr unlock all Premium articles.
Free for 30 days, then just £1 per week
Start trial
Save 40% when you pay annually.
View all subscription options |
Already have an account? Login

NAIJASCHOLAR