A fresh set of semi-nude photographs said to depict a pop star circulated on the internet yesterday - as a suspect arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of posting earlier pictures appeared in court.
The latest pictures, of a woman resembling Canto-pop singer Joey Yung Cho-yee, were found on a mainland internet forum.
Yung joins a list of celebrities including singer-actor Edison Chen Koon-hei, Gillian Chung Yan-tung of girl duo Twins, actress Cecilia Cheung Pak-chi and former actress Bobo Chen, all of whom have been rumoured to be previously romantically linked to Chen.
Women's rights groups condemned the internet community, warning that ordinary women also suffer. One group said it received calls for help concerning personal photos being shared on the internet after breaking up with boyfriends.
Yung's record company, Emperor Entertainment Group, did not return calls for comment. Yung and Chung are managed by the same company, which was the first to report the case to the police this week. Chen's management also made a report.
The Women's Foundation said circulating such pictures was disrespectful to women. The Federation of Trade Unions said it was no different from sexual harassment of women.
Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women executive director Linda Wong Sau-yung said she was worried more photos, digitally manipulated or not, would be uploaded because of the debate. Her group had been receiving calls for help from women whose private photos had been uploaded.
"On average we receive two to three cases each month. These pictures were taken when they were in love with their boyfriends but after breaking up, these photos were uploaded [by their ex-boyfriends] as revenge," she said. "Women should be extremely cautious if they are asked to pose for these photos."
Meanwhile, Edison Chen, who was said to be overseas, updated his internet blog yesterday for the first time since last Saturday, before the photographs started appearing.
He posted still shots from his new film Sniper, directed by Dante Lam. The pictures show a fierce-faced Chen posing as if about to fire a rifle, with the cryptic caption: "CAPS GET PEELED and ya boy EDC claps back."
Internet service providers (ISPs) have been asked to keep a close eye on the circulation of indecent or obscene articles.
Hong Kong Internet Service Providers Association chairman York Mok said the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority suggested suspending membership if an ISP failed to comply with the code of practice, which includes guidelines on circulating indecent material.
He said this would be impossible because "there are too many internet forums and too many users... It is unfair to transfer all the responsibilities to the ISPs. It works better if we act on complaints."
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