The High Court extended an interim injunction to restrain doxxing and harassment against police officers and their families and clarified the terms of the order.

The clarification was made today after the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) applied to the High Court to explain the terms of the interim injunction granted on October 25.

In a statement issued by Police, it explained that in today’s judgment, the Court recognised that doxxing against police officers and their families is a serious and prevalent issue.

The Court also acknowledged that the Secretary for Justice is properly bringing this action as guardian of the public interest.

It was common ground between the parties that doxxing should not be condoned and that the HKJA agrees that doxxing is a serious issue and it does not seek to prevent officers from seeking legal protection.

The statement added that while the injunction is not intended to stifle genuine and lawful journalistic activities, a journalist who engages in unlawful conduct amounting to public nuisance, harassment or intimidation would come within the terms of the injunction.

The Government reiterated that the injunction is not intended to target lawful and legitimate journalistic activities, and under the injunction granted by the Court today, journalists can continue to engage in such activities.

The extended injunction prohibits the public from intimidating, molesting, harassing, threatening or pestering police officers and their families, in addition to disclosing personal information without consent.

Anyone who violates an injunction order may be subject to contempt of court and will be liable to a custodial sentence or fined if found guilty.