HONG KONG (AP) — In a stark warning to job seekers, Hong Kong’s privacy watchdog has uncovered a potential minefield of personal data exploitation in online recruitment platforms, revealing how fraudsters may be harvesting sensitive information under the guise of job opportunities.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) has exposed a troubling trend of “blind ads” on JobsDB, where employers hide their identities while soliciting personal details from unsuspecting applicants.
An investigation spanning multiple sectors, including financial securities, retail, Chinese medicine, and transport services, found systematic privacy breaches that could leave job seekers vulnerable to potential fraud.
“Blind ads may be an unscrupulous means to collect personal data,” said Hermina Ng, senior legal counsel at PCPD. “Jobseekers must exercise extreme caution and verify information before submitting personal details.”
The watchdog has taken decisive action, serving enforcement notices on JobsDB and three organizations, while issuing advisory notices to five others. The platform has responded by mandating that employers disclose their identities and suspending blind ad postings.
JobsDB emphasized its commitment to data protection, stating that candidate information is used exclusively for service provision and is not shared with third parties without legal permissions.
Experts recommend that job seekers:
Thoroughly research potential employers
Verify company credentials before sharing personal information
Be wary of advertisements lacking clear organizational details
Trust their instincts if an opportunity seems suspiciousAs the digital job market continues to evolve, vigilance remains the best defense against potential data predators.
