Article 19 calls on technology companies to do more to resist attacks on internet freedoms, as Hong Kong seeks to codify new national security laws aimed at tightening online censorship. I am.
In January 2024, the Hong Kong authorities began a pseudo-consultation period towards the introduction of Article 23 of the Basic Law. The outcome of this process is all but determined and likely to mean a fundamental expansion of national security regulations, including new regulations related to a wide range of crimes such as secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign powers. This includes the introduction of serious crimes. Together with the Chinese government-imposed National Security Law of 2023, Article 23 of the law brings Hong Kong one step closer to Beijing-style internet governance.
The most blatant example of Hong Kong's increasingly authoritarian moves to control online speech is its effort to ban “.Glory to Hong Kong – The protest song has become a symbol of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, and authorities consider it a threat to national security. The Hong Kong government bans the song from being distributed “in any way” and seeks an injunction that applies to “any internet-based platform or medium” and its global operations.
The Hong Kong High Court has so far rejected the request, seeking further clarification and amendments, but the process continues, leaving open the possibility of further censorship. A recent injunction required 32 versions of the song on YouTube to be labeled as illegal..
With the impending introduction of Article 23 legislation, further restrictions are likely to be imposed in the future, which will affect freedom of expression, the right to information and the right to privacy on global social media platforms. may give.
Michael Castor, Asia Digital Program Manager at Article 19, said in a recent editorial in The Diplomat:
“This is not just about one song or one Internet search provider. 'Glory to Hong Kong' is the canary in the coal mine. Authorities are seeking to impose the same yoke on Hong Kong's internet intermediaries as they do on companies doing business in mainland China. We have already seen people forced to make concessions to: apple And on the mainland, it's Microsoft. ”
Global tech companies remain silent despite growing threats to internet freedom in Hong Kong. Perhaps they are afraid to speak out publicly against Hong Kong and, by extension, against China.
in his articles and podcasts technology policy pressMichael Castor has outlined a number of ways global technology companies can resist this growing attack on online freedom of expression.
- Speak out against the Glory to Hong Kong injunction through coalitions such as the Asian Internet Coalition and the Global Network Initiative.
- Seize the opportunity to legally challenge attempts to intimidate us into participating in attacks on internet freedom.
- Re-evaluate the risks of doing business in Hong Kong. High-tech companies, investors and the broader private sector should reconsider human rights impact assessments, including the impact of ongoing operations and the potential for responsible or strategic exit.
Given Hong Kong's claims of extraterritoriality in national security matters, how changes in Hong Kong's legal environment could expose tech companies to legal penalties if they fail to comply with global censorship demands It is also necessary to assess whether this poses any concerns for internet freedom around the world. .
Michael Castor concluded:
“Failure to calculate and mitigate growing concerns risks creating far greater vulnerabilities in the future. Every time Hong Kong authorities take action toward Beijing-style authoritarian internet governance, If companies fail to act, they are more likely to be complicit in future restrictions on internet freedom.”
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