Topic
Hong Kong's Consumer Council is a watchdog focused on consumer rights and welfare.
Organiser says customers who bought tickets through official channels can receive 50 per cent refund if they apply by April 12 deadline
Lessons must be learned from a privacy breach at an online marketplace that saw details of city users compromised as well as from the probe that followed.
The sudden closure of the Brilliant Education tutoring firm has left clients and employees out of pocket, a reminder that prepayments should be made with care and that authorities should always be vigilant with such businesses.
Contaminants – some carcinogenic – found in cooking oils pose no immediate or short-term dangers to health but the Consumer Council was right to publish its results so people can make an informed choice.
A Consumer Council analysis of bargain-priced meat and seafood balls revealed a marked disparity in what was claimed on some menus and packaging. Aside from expectations of cost and value, when it comes to health and religious beliefs, products and descriptions should always match.
The Competition Commission has shown its teeth in a case involving two government cleaning contractors, but the public expects it to tackle more serious claims of fuel price fixing.
There has been a surge in complaints to the Consumer Council in relation to property deals outside Hong Kong. People who handle such sales are currently not required to obtain a licence. But given the promotions and transactions are carried out within the city, it makes sense to bring them under the law
Hong Kong and mainland authorities need to strengthen consumer protection and coordination over cross-border transaction disputes.
- Centre for Food Safety this month ordered four pre-packaged spice mix products from India to be recalled after it found the pesticide ethylene oxide in samples
- Indian authorities reportedly told two companies concerned, MDH and Everest, to explain how products are tested and if all regulations are being followed
Prices of confectionery, biscuits and snacks rose by 9.9 per cent in 2023, Consumer Council says.
Consumer Council tests 30 beer products, with six showing ‘considerable discrepancy’ between advertised alcohol content and actual amount.
Consumer Council says items ranging from diapers to air conditioning may account for up to 57 per cent of basic monthly fees.
Privacy commissioner’s investigation finds personal data such as ID card and passport numbers of more than 13,000 people stolen in Cyberport breach.
Affected members of the South China Athletic Association urged to report any suspicious activity, a day after the club announced data leak of its 70,000 members’ personal information.
Nivea’s Cellular Expert Filler Eye and Lip Contour Cream found to outrank pricier products, such as Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream, Estee Lauder and Shiseido.
Five models did not have ventilation holes to prevent choking, while another product failed to comply with durability standards.
Travel Industry Authority says calls about collapsed New Star Travel involve a total of HK$360,000.
Consumer Council investigation finds home renovation trade prone to problems such as shoddy work and aggressive sales tactics.
Besides steep prices, Consumer Council called on patrons to consider the environment as it flagged the problem of overpackaging in deliveries.
Consumer Council says it received 1,300 complaints against Inter Miami game organiser Tatler Asia.
Centre for Food Safety says Swiss-imported product ‘Milk Chocolate with Honey and Almond Nougat’ bars may contain ‘plastic foreign matter’.
Sixty per cent of reviewed products had no clear labelling about live bacteria they contained, while only 15 samples had all strains of probiotics clearly printed on packaging, watchdog reveals.
Consumer Council tests six games and finds they use common set of tactics to attract continued play and spending on in-app purchases.
Estate agents in Hong Kong have been told they must warn people eyeing houses in mainland China and overseas markets of the risks associated with buying off-plan, which include units left unfinished as developers struggle under mountains of debt.
Long delays on hearings into suspected violations of competition law could damage ability to enforce the law and prolong uncertainty for those involved, watchdog says.
Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data says second-hand goods selling platform Carousell reported breach relating to 2.6 million global users in October.
Consumer Council finds excessive amounts of plasticisers in four out of 35 sesame products tested, including one 79 times recommended level.
Consumer Council says study of four virtual firms shows some hold onto policyholders’ personal data for undefined time period.
Consumer Council advise people to ‘promptly’ wash hands with mild soap after touching suitcase handles.
Council chief says steep rise in cases could be attributed to relaxation of Covid-related curbs and Hongkongers’ desire to travel.
Readers discuss embracing a painful part of the city’s – and the nation’s – history, the G7’s criticism of Chinese curbs on Japanese seafood, and the Hong Kong Consumer Council’s effective handling of a complaint.
Consumer Council says semi-permanent tattoo procedures, such as eyebrow, eyeliner and lip microblading, pose infection risks and potential loss of vision.
All 29 chocolate samples tested by Consumer Council were found with the heavy metal, with one batch exceeding EU limits.
People deemed as high risk in potential data leak include staff, former employees, subscribers of Choice magazine and voters who took part in past events.
Consumer Council chairman Clement Chan says unknown hackers have threatened to leak data unless US$500,000 ransom met, which watchdog has refused to pay.
