Hong Kong Begins Internet Restrictions on National Security Grounds – The Diplomat

China Power | Society | East Asia

In Hong Kong, the primary blocking of an internet site on the grounds of nationwide safety and a coverage change on the approval of web domains have triggered recent considerations over freedom of entry to info – in addition to town’s standing as a regional telecommunications hub.

On January 14, Hong Kong Broadband Network (HKBN) admitted to blocking HKChronicles – an internet site fashioned in response to the 2019 pro-democracy protests that shared anti-government content material and private info on law enforcement officials – after customers seen it was unreachable final week. A spokesman for HKBN instructed Reuters that entry was disabled on January 13 in compliance with the National Security Law (NSL), marking the primary time authorities have censored an internet site beneath the regulation because it got here into impact in June.

Hours after the web site was blocked, the corporate that approves web domains within the metropolis introduced to holders of .hk domains that it’s going to now reject purposes for brand spanking new websites that would incite “illegal acts.” Through emails from the Hong Kong Domain Name Registration Company, holders had been alerted to the appropriate use coverage change made by the mother or father firm Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited, Reuters stories. It is unclear whether or not the coverage, due to enter impact on January 28, will have an effect on current web sites.

“It’s the very first time we have had a website blocking since (the internet) was available in Hong Kong,” stated Charles Low, chairman of the Hong Kong chapter of the Internet Society, a company advocating for an open web. “We predicted this would happen back when the NSL was put into effect, but still feel regret that police have leveraged the law to impose a website ban.”

The strikes have exacerbated current considerations about web freedom in Hong Kong, a territory that has historically loved a free and open web beneath the “one country, two systems” framework. An open web has lengthy been a vital benefit in Hong Kong that units it other than mainland China, the place web entry is restricted beneath an enormous system referred to as the “Great Firewall.”

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While specialists say that these developments are usually not unprecedented, they’re more and more frightened concerning the tempo and scope of future infringements, along with the broader implications. In July, the native authorities unveiled expanded police powers beneath the NSL that allowed authorities to drive web service suppliers handy over consumer info, in addition to censor on-line content material and platforms. In response, many residents started cleaning their digital footprints, along with downloading VPNs and encrypted messaging apps.

According to Low, many IT professionals and members of assorted monetary establishments – comparable to funding banks – are presently contemplating to relocate to different Asian cities. Some IT companies have additionally obtained suggestions from clients who say they’re reluctant to do enterprise with them as a result of safety considerations in Hong Kong, he added.

After the NSL implementation guidelines had been launched final July, a number of web and social media platforms together with Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Telegram, and Zoom quickly stopped accepting consumer knowledge requests from the Hong Kong authorities.

“The success of Hong Kong is mostly based on freedoms we enjoy before 1997 and the rule of law and internet freedom,” Low stated. “Now, it seems our government is ditching these core values. It will have serious and severe impact on (Hong Kong’s) role as an international financial center and regional network hub.”