Global tech giants Facebook, Google and Twitter have all warned Hong Kong’s government that they may depart the city-state if the proposed data-protection laws are enacted
In a private letter, the companies say they are concerned that employees could be subject to criminal investigations and charges.
A link to Google’s proposal to a workable news code on the company’s homepage, arranged on an iPhone in Sydney, Australia, on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. Google threatened to disable its search engine in Australia if its forced to pay local publishers for news, a dramatic escalation of a months-long standoff with the government. Photographer: David Gray/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesTwitter hits pause on verification requestsThis photograph taken on October 26, 2020 shows the logo of US social network Twitter displayed on the screen of a smartphone and a tablet in Toulouse, southern France. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP)HANOVER, GERMANY – JUNE 12: The Instagram and Facebook logos are displayed at the 2018 CeBIT technology trade fair on June 12, 2018 in Hanover, Germany. The 2018 CeBIT is running from June 11-15. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)Tech giants warn of cutting off service in Hong Kong
“The only way to avoid these sanctions for technology companies would be to refrain from investing and offering the services in Hong Kong,” the AIC said in its letter, according to the Journal.
The proposed laws will make tech giants liable for when an individual’s information is shared maliciously without their permission.
Also known as “doxing”, it refers to the act of “revealing people’s personal information such as real name, home address or workplace online” without consent.
The Journal notes that this practice became prevalent when pro-democracy protests broke out in the city in 2019.
Hong Kong’s government has announced the amendments to the legislation in response to doxing being used during protests in the city.
In the letter, the companies say “the only way to avoid these sanctions for technology companies would be to refrain from investing and offering the services in Hong Kong.”
“The amendments will not have any bearing on free speech,” a spokesperson for Hong Kong’s Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data told the Journal, acknowledging that the AIC’s letter had been received.
According to the spokesperson, the city’s government “strongly rebuts any suggestion that the amendments may in any way affect foreign investment in Hong Kong.”