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Consumer protection in Hong Kongi

Hong Kong's Consumer Council is a watchdog focused on consumer rights and welfare.

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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

  • Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data urges affected members to report any suspicious activity, a day after leak revealed
  • Breach at South China Athletic Association includes possible theft of information such as names, identity card and passport numbers, addresses and contact details

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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 names and shames City Medicine, Medicine Palace Living Plaza, Global Medicine Company and On Hong Medicine Company, all in Causeway Bay.