WSD reports incident of loss of domestic consumers' personal data
The Water Supplies Department (WSD) received a report on April 8 and confirmed upon investigation that a personal digital assistant (PDA) containing consumers' data was found missing during field meter-reading work conducted by a staff member of the WSD on the same day. The PDA was the staff member's work equipment.
The spokesman said that the PDA contained a total of 495 names and addresses of domestic consumers from three buildings in Fortress Hill. Apart from one consumer's information that contained a telephone number, other information involved did not contain any personal identity card numbers or other personal information.
Regarding the incident, the WSD has notified the relevant authorities including the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data and the Digital Policy Office, and also made a report to the Police. The WSD will fully co-operate with the relevant authorities and the Police in their investigations and operations.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Photo source: reference image
The Digital Policy Office, Photo source: reference image
The WSD has informed the consumers referenced above of the incident, alerted them to raise their awareness, and apologised for the incident. If consumers concerned have further enquiries on the incident, they may call the WSD's customer services hotline at 2824 5000 or send an email to wsdinfo1@wsd.gov.hk.
The spokesman for the WSD stressed, "The department attaches great importance to the incident, adding that immediate follow-up actions were taken. The department has reminded staff that they must heighten their vigilance and properly safeguard government property. They must also strictly follow guidelines regarding the proper handling and confidentiality of personal data. Meanwhile, the department is conducting a detailed investigation into the personnel involved and the circumstances of the incident. Depending on the findings, appropriate disciplinary action may be considered. The Department will also conduct a detailed review of the equipment and procedures used by staff during field meter-reading work, and explore measures to strengthen data protection."
The Water Supplies Department (WSD), Photo source: reference image
HKSAR LegCo firmly rejects US untruthful "2026 Hong Kong Policy Act Report"
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Legislative Council (LegCo), through its spokesman, today (April 17) strongly disapproves of and rejects the United States (US) so-called "2026 Hong Kong Policy Act Report" (the Report). LegCo also fully supports the statement issued by the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR, firmly countering the false allegations regarding Hong Kong's situation in the US Report.
The HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China, and as a local administrative region that enjoys a high degree of autonomy under the principle of "one country, two systems", comes directly under the jurisdiction of the Central People's Government. The LegCo spokesman points out that the Report slandered the development of Hong Kong under the principle of "one country, two systems" in areas such as democracy, rule of law, human rights and freedoms, socio-economic and cultural developments, etc. The Report also vilified the implementation of the laws safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong National Security Law. LegCo urges the US authorities to discern facts from fallacies, refrain from disseminating misleading and scaremongering information, and immediately cease interference in any form in Hong Kong's affairs. Hong Kong's democracy is established with high-quality, and the rights and freedoms enjoyed by residents in accordance with the law are fully protected. These facts must not be slandered or smeared.
Since the improvement of the electoral system in 2021, each of the LegCo elections has demonstrated broad representation and balanced participation of society. The entire process was fair, just and open, while fully adhering to the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong". Under the executive-led governance, LegCo has been taking forward various tasks pragmatically and effectively to complement with and monitor the governance of the SAR Government. These include promoting economic development, improving people's livelihood, and more actively integrating into and serving the overall national development. These tangible and positive results should not be rejected or distorted by any ill-intentioned people.
Meanwhile, the HKSAR Government and LegCo are committed to continuously improve the legal system for safeguarding national security. As the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Xia Baolong, pointed out at the National Security Education Day on April 15, following the implementation of laws safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong National Security Law, along with the establishment of dedicated national and Special Administrative Region institutions for safeguarding national security, Hong Kong has once again become one of the safest cities in the world. Hong Kong's business environment is becoming better and attracting investors from around the world. Facts speak louder than eloquence. The well-being of citizens and the interests of foreign investors are fully protected in Hong Kong. Our achievements are evident to all.
The LegCo spokesman stressed that, leveraging the distinctive advantage of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world, Hong Kong's position and role in the overall national development are becoming clearer and more important. LegCo firmly believes that, on the new journey of the National 15th Five-Year-Plan, Hong Kong will better integrate into and serve the overall national development. By actively aligning with the development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the high-quality development strategy, we will create a more prosperous and stable future full of opportunities.
Source: AI-found images
