A man in Hsinchu has been sentenced to three months in jail, suspended for two years, for misusing a primary school student’s personal information to “prank” him by purchasing live ants online under the child’s name and phone number — a stunt that cost him around RM60 (NT$300–400).
According to the Hsinchu District Court, the adult man, surnamed Chang, met the boy through an online group about ant keeping in Taiwan. Despite knowing the boy was a child — having chatted with him on Facebook and even spoken to him over the phone — Chang said he was annoyed by the boy’s “rude” language in the group. Acting out of spite, he ordered a live tube of Camponotus japonicus ants using the boy’s details and arranged for delivery to a convenience store near the boy’s school.
Chang’s intention was reportedly to cause trouble for the child by having the unclaimed order damage his online shopping credit. The seller later alerted the group after no one picked up the parcel, leading to the discovery that Chang was the real buyer.
The court found Chang guilty of violating the Personal Data Protection Act and causing unnecessary distress to the boy’s family and the seller. Considering his remorse, apology, and the victim’s father’s forgiveness, the judge granted probation on the condition that Chang pays a RM2,800 (NT$20,000) fine to the public treasury.
