TOPIC

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Consumer protection in Hong Kong
Hong Kong's Consumer Council is a watchdog focused on consumer rights and welfare.
The Customs and Excise Department confirmed it has received complaints and is investigating the abrupt closure of the club. Photo: 1880 Hong Kong
Hong Kong economy

Member loses HK$38,000 as Hong Kong branch of Singaporean 1880 club faces probe

Investigation launched after abrupt closure of private club, but members face ‘slim chance’ of membership and joining fees being refunded.

Hong Kong economy

Wedding woes as Hong Kong firm’s suspected closure leaves couples in crisis

Mainland China

Ex-head of Hong Kong Consumer Council denies departure due to company apology

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong private clinics must apply for licence from October, amid rules revamp

‘Negative vetting’ process will see licensing regime gazetted on Friday, following earlier moves targeting hospitals and day procedure centres.

The changes are part of the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance, which was passed in 2018 but enacted in phases, starting with hospitals in 2019 and day procedure centres in 2020. Photo: SCMP
Artificial intelligence

Opinion | Hong Kong firms must take initiative on safe AI practices

While leveraging AI to boost their competitive edge, companies should not allow the technology to run wild or become their new master.

videocam
Switzerland

Hong Kong watchdog warns of burn risks after tests on non-stick frying pans

Consumer Council tests 24 models for fire safety risks, ability to reach standard cooking temperature and blistering, among other issues.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Hong Kong society

False step? Why you can’t count on data from some smartwatches, fitness trackers

Watchdog warns customers not to rely on smartwatches to track fitness levels for medical purposes, citing deviations of up to 74 per cent.

Three smartwatch models from Polar, a Finnish brand known for sports training computers, showed significant deviations of 59 per cent to 74 per cent, according to the Consumer Council. Photo: Handout
Animal welfare in Hong Kong

Hong Kong vets report higher rates of poor health for online-bought cats, dogs

Consumer watchdog teams up with wildlife authorities to survey veterinarians, and targets 18 online sellers of animals.

Hong Kong society

Letters | Hong Kong must come to grips with risks of prepaid service contracts

Readers discuss consumer protection in the wake of Alliance Medical Group’s closure, regulating pet sales, and the prospect of war between India and Pakistan.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong customs arrests 2 over medical group’s abrupt closure

Company director and secretary of Alliance Medical Group detained, source says.

One of two people arrested by customs on Wednesday is a secretary of the medical group. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong

Hong Kong to review regulations after abrupt closure of Alliance Medical Group

City leader vows to better protect consumer rights by considering statutory cooling-off period or limiting duration of healthcare contracts.

Alliance Medical Group, which ran two clinics in Tsim Sha Tsui and Sha Tin, has not officially announced its closure, but its Facebook and Instagram accounts are no longer available. Photo: Nora Tam
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong consumer watchdog chief steps down, says ready to start ‘new chapter’

Gilly Wong says she hopes to take a short break and ‘embrace a more measured pace of living’ while exploring ‘new horizons’.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Private hospital in limbo after Hong Kong clinic’s HK$400,000 debt: lawmaker

Chan Hoi-yan also says legal ‘loopholes’ need to be addressed as Alliance Medical Group’s suspected shutdown could be ‘tip of iceberg’.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong consumer watchdog chief expected to leave after nearly 13 years: source

Gilly Wong’s departure set to be announced as soon as May 6, Post learns.

Gilly Wong has led the watchdog since November 2012. Photo: May Tse
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

458 complaints involving HK$2.7 million filed with Hong Kong watchdog over clinic

One doctor also says Alliance Medical Group, which shut its two clinics without warning, owes him as much as HK$800,000 in wages.

The Alliance Medical Group’s clinic in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

469 complaints and reports lodged over suspected closure of Hong Kong clinic

Customers of Alliance Medical Group, which offers services including vaccinations for children, shocked to discover clinics shut without warning.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Popular Hong Kong clinic chain in hot water amid suspected closure

Many customers outraged after prepaying thousands for their children’s vaccinations at clinics under Alliance Medical Group.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Hong Kong

Nicholas Tse fans fume over obstructed views at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium

Lawmakers call for organisers to be more transparent about seat views when selling tickets.

videocam
Complaints have been made regarding obstructed seating views for Cantopop star “Evolution Nic Live” Nicholas Tse’s concerts at Kai Tak Stadium. Photo: Handout
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong beauty centre closure sparks probe into HK$200,000 of prepaid packages

At least 22 complaints have been made with individual victims reporting losses ranging between HK$10,000 and HK$20,000.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong family’s ‘chaotic’ Coldplay ticket experience prompts watchdog warning

Victim recounts multiple ‘misleading’ conversations with platform Viagogo, waiting in vain outside Kai Tak Stadium during concert.

5
Coldplay

Coldplay in Hong Kong: watchdog receives 114 complaints over blocked views

Some concertgoers started complaining about seating arrangements following band’s first show, arguing obstructions were worse than expected.

5
Coldplay vocalist Chris Martin performs during the band’s concert at Kai Tak Stadium on April 9. Photo: Harvey Kong
Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong consumer watchdog finds 27.4% gap in air con energy efficiency

Consumer Council tests 12 models of inverter split-type air conditioners, says Daikin has highest electric bill savings.

Air-conditioner units mounted on buildings in Kwun Tong. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong society

Fewer benefits on most travel insurance for elderly, kids: Hong Kong watchdog

Ahead of Easter holiday, Consumer Council reveals that among 27 surveyed policies, 22 lowered maximum benefit limits for elderly and children.

Hong Kong society

3 arrested over fraud after watching Coldplay concert in Hong Kong without tickets

Concertgoers also file 22 complaints about obstructed views, claiming they were not told about the problem in advance.

10
Crime in Hong Kong

Privacy rules broken in data leak of major fashion brands: Hong Kong watchdog

Data of 130,000 people including names, email addresses, telephone numbers, birth months, sex and nationalities exposed in breach.

Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data Ada Chung has warned that data breach incidents are likely to continue to rise in the city. Photo: Sun Yeung
Coldplay

Coldplay ticketing error: number of complaints to Hong Kong watchdog hits 25

Consumer Council to urge ticket seller Cityline to arrange exchange service as soon as possible to ‘protect the rights and interests’ of customers.

Coldplay performs in India. The pop band will play Kai Tak Stadium on April 8, 9, 11 and 12 as part of its “Music of the Spheres” world tour. Photo: Facebook/Coldplay
Hong Kong society

Raging Sea Horse threatens to sue Hong Kong watchdog over low mattress score

Hong Kong bedding company gives Consumer Council hard time over score in ‘unfair’ mattress testing.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog offers stark warning against educational courses

Calls for the industry to ‘recognise and address issues promptly’, after 94 complaints made in first two months of this year.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement