Hong Kong: More major internet and social media platforms stop processing requests for user data while conducting assessment of security law
“Facebook, Google and Twitter won't give Hong Kong authorities user data for now”, 7 July 2020
Most of the world's major internet and social media platforms have stopped processing requests for user data made by Hong Kong law enforcement authorities while they carry out an assessment of a controversial security law imposed by China on the city…
Facebook and its messaging service WhatsApp said in statements… that they would "pause" the review of information requests from the Hong Kong government "pending further assessment of the impact of the National Security Law, including formal human rights due diligence and consultations with human rights experts."
Facebook (FB) said the company believes "freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and support the right of people to express themselves without fear for their safety or other repercussions."
Twitter (TWTR) confirmed to CNN Business that it has also paused all requests from Hong Kong authorities for data and information while it reviews the law. "Like many public interest organizations, civil society leaders and entities, and industry peers, we have grave concerns regarding both the developing process and the full intention of this law," a spokesperson said.
A Google (GOOG) spokesperson told CNN Business that when the law took effect, it "paused production on any new data requests from Hong Kong authorities, and we'll continue to review the details of the new law."
Popular video conferencing platform Zoom (ZM) followed suit… saying in a statement that it will pause processing data requests from and related to the Hong Kong government. The company said it is "actively monitoring the developments in Hong Kong SAR, including any potential guidance from the US government."
A spokesperson for LinkedIn also confirmed it is pausing responses to local law enforcement requests in Hong Kong…
… the Hong Kong government said police would be given new powers to investigate offenses related to the law, including demanding publishing platforms and internet service providers remove content that authorities believe undermines national security.
Service providers who fail to comply with the requirement to remove such messages or provide assistance to law enforcement would be liable to a maximum fine of $12,903 ($100,000 Hong Kong dollars) and six months' imprisonment…