Hong Kong’s Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has reported a case of suspected theft involving document files that contained the personal data of around 100 people who had filed complaints to the department.
A spokesperson for the FEHD said on Thursday that two internal document files stored at the Kowloon City District Environmental Hygiene Office had been stolen. The files contained the names and phone numbers or email addresses of around 100 people who had complained about environmental nuisances in the district, the department said.
According to the FEHD, the office area the files were allegedly taken from was secured with a digital password lock and an independent door lock. The incident was reported to the police for follow-up, while the department also informed the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data and individuals affected by the incident.
The department vowed to review its existing personal data security measures to ensure effective protection of personal data it collected.
“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,” a statement from the FEHD read.
