Tech giants threaten to leave Hong Kong if data privacy laws change Facebook, Twitter, Google and Alphabet, told the Hong Kong government the companies may leave the city if new anti-doxing laws are adopted
Author of the article: Daniel Johnson
Publishing date: Jul 05, 2021 • 18 hours ago • 2 minute read • The Facebook Inc. Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp apps are arranged for a photograph on a smartphone in Hong Kong, China, on Tuesday, July 7, 2020. Internet giants from Facebook Inc. to Google and Twitter Inc. say they won’t process user data requests from the Hong Kong government amid concerns that a new security law could criminalize protests. Photo by Photographer: Roy Liu/Bloomberg ORG XMIT: 775531720
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The doxxing law amendments were proposed by the Hong Kong government this May and included two broad changes, per the South China Morning Post. Firstly, someone accused of doxxing could be jailed for five years and fined close to $130,000. Secondly, the laws give the government sweeping control over the web in Hong Kong, and the power to compel people and tech organizations alike to remove content and assist in criminal investigations.
Advertisement The proposal to subject such platforms to criminal liability is unnecessary and excessive, wrote the Coalition. These platforms are just making the service available to users for posting and should not be penalized for their users doxxing actions over which the platforms have no control.
Hong Kong dismisses Google, Facebook warning over privacy laws aljazeera.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from aljazeera.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Hong Kong has defended planned changes to privacy laws, brushing off concerns raised by a technology industry body.
The new law targets doxxing - the malicious act of publishing people s personal information online.
But an industry group says technology giants may pull out of the city over fears that they could become liable for user content.
Hong Kong s leader, Carrie Lam said officials would meet companies that are concerned about the changes.
In a letter, the Singapore-based Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) - which counts Facebook, Google, Twitter and Apple amongst its members - said the proposed legislation was too broad.
Hong Kong leader dismisses Big Tech privacy law fears
Issued on:
06/07/2021 - 05:20 The proposed law s broad wording has spooked major tech companies who fear they could be held liable and their employees prosecuted for users content Anthony WALLACE AFP 2 min
Hong Kong (AFP)
Hong Kong s leader on Tuesday brushed off a warning by major tech companies including Google, Facebook and Twitter that they may quit the financial hub if authorities push ahead with a new privacy law.
City authorities have unveiled plans to pass a new law targeting doxxing the act of publishing someone s private details online so they can be harassed by others.