Suspected theft case involving personal data held by FEHD
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (January 2) that the department attaches utmost importance on a suspected theft case of document files and has reported the incident to the Police for follow-up. Since the files contain personal data, the department has immediately contacted all the data subjects affected to offer its apologies and appeal for their heightened vigilance.
The incident involves two internal document files stored at the Kowloon City District Environmental Hygiene Office. These files contained records of public complaints against environmental nuisances in the district, including the names and contact information (telephone numbers or email addresses) of approximately 100 complainants.
The spokesman said, "The office area concerned is access-controlled by a digital lock and also has an independent door lock. As the incident may involve criminal act of theft, the FEHD has reported the case to the Police for follow-up and will fully co-operate with the investigation. The FEHD has also notified the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, and notified the data subjects affected by the incident."
The spokesman for the FEHD stressed, "The department offered its apologies to those affected. The FEHD attaches great importance to the security of personal data, and has laid down clear internal guidelines and control mechanism to ensure compliance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance and other relevant laws and ordinances. Staff members are also regularly reminded to adhere to these guidelines and provisions. While the case is believed to be an isolated incident, the department will take stringent action should the investigation reveal any negligence or mishandling by any officer. The FEHD will also review the current personal data security measures to ensure effective protection of the personal data it collects."
Consumer Price Indices for June 2026
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (July 21) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for June 2026. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 2.0% in June 2026 over the same month a year earlier, the same as that in May 2026. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rate of increase in the Composite CPI (i.e. the underlying inflation rate) in June 2026 was 1.9%, also the same as that in May 2026.
The Census and Statistics Department, Photo source: reference image
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period ending June 2026 was 0.1%, the same as that for the 3-month period ending May 2026. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the corresponding rates of increase were 0.2% and 0.3%.
Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.8%, 2.1% and 2.2% respectively in June 2026, all the same as those in May 2026. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.5%, 2.0% and 2.1% respectively in June 2026, also all the same as those in May 2026.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the 3-month period ending June 2026, the average monthly rates of change in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 0.0%, 0.1% and 0.1% respectively. The corresponding rates of change for the 3-month period ending May 2026 were 0.0%, 0.2% and 0.2% respectively. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the average monthly rates of change in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) for the 3-month period ending June 2026 were all 0.2%, and the corresponding rates of change for the 3-month period ending May 2026 were 0.3%, 0.3% and 0.2% respectively.
Amongst the various components of the Composite CPI, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in June 2026 for electricity, gas and water (9.2%), transport (5.3%), miscellaneous services (5.2%), miscellaneous goods (2.3%), housing (1.1%), meals out and takeaway food (0.8%), clothing and footwear (0.7%), and alcoholic drinks and tobacco (0.1%).
On the other hand, year-on-year decreases in the components of the Composite CPI were recorded in June 2026 for durable goods (-1.1%), and basic food (-0.5%).
For the first half of 2026 as a whole, the Composite CPI rose by 1.7% over the same period a year earlier. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.6%, 1.8% and 1.8% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.6%, 1.3%, 1.7% and 1.7% respectively.
In the second quarter of 2026, the Composite CPI rose by 1.9% over the same period a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 1.7%, 2.0% and 2.0% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.7%, 1.5%, 1.9% and 2.0% respectively.
For the 12 months ending June 2026, the Composite CPI on average rose by 1.5% over the same period a year earlier. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.5%, 1.4% and 1.4% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.3%, 1.2%, 1.3% and 1.4% respectively.
Photo source: reference image
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that the underlying Composite CPI rose by 1.9% in June over a year earlier, same as the preceding month. Increases in prices of fuel-related items continued to accelerate, while relatively modest price pressures in other components partly offset the overall rise.
Looking ahead, consumer price inflation is expected to rise in the coming months as the earlier surges in international oil prices continue to feed through. The recent moderation in international oil prices from previous peaks may provide some relief; however, the renewed escalation of tensions in the Middle East warrants close monitoring. Meanwhile, price pressures in other areas remain largely contained, which should keep overall inflation at a moderate level.
Further information
The CPIs and year-on-year rates of change at section level for June 2026 are shown in Table 1. The time series on the year-on-year rates of change in the CPIs before and after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures are shown in Table 2. For discerning the latest trend in consumer prices, it is also useful to look at the changes in the seasonally adjusted CPIs. The time series on the average monthly rates of change during the latest 3 months for the seasonally adjusted CPIs are shown in Table 3. The rates of change in the original and the seasonally adjusted Composite CPI and the underlying inflation rate are presented graphically in Chart 1.
More detailed statistics are given in the "Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index". Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1060001&scode=270).
For enquiries about the CPIs, please contact the Consumer Price Index Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7374 or email: cpi@censtatd.gov.hk).
Photo source: reference image
