Topline
Proposed anti-doxxing laws could soon make Hong Kong an unsustainable place to do business, warned an industry group representing some of the world’s largest tech companies—including Amazon, Apple, Google, and Facebook—in the latest sign of growing dissatisfaction as Beijing tightens its hold on the city.
Hong Kong's anti-doxxing law has been criticized as overly restrictive.
Key Facts
In a letter to Hong Kong’s data protection commissioner seen by Forbes, and first reported on by the Wall Street Journal, the Asia Internet Coalition criticized the city’s plans to crackdown on doxxing, the act of maliciously publishing or spreading private information online.
The changes—which would empower the city’s privacy watchdog to enforce the law and intensify penalties that could see perpetrators face up to five years in prison and fines of up to $128,800—follow widespread doxxing of politicians, protestors, journalists and police during anti-government protests in 2019.
While acknowledging the “serious” nature of the problem, the industry group said the proposals to limit free expression were overbroad, ambiguous and a “completely disproportionate and unnecessary response,” particularly “excessive” plans to hold platforms, and their staff, criminally liable for content they “have no control” over.
“The only way to avoid these sanctions for technology companies would be to refrain from investing and offering the services in Hong Kong,” the group wrote in the Jun. 25 letter.
A spokesperson for the industry group told Forbes the “letter shares [the industry’s] concerns with the proposed amendments to Hong Kong’s privacy laws” and does not mention any individual company or suggest any of the firms represented are planning to leave Hong Kong.
Hong Kong’s data protection regulator, Google, Facebook, Amazon and Apple did not immediately respond to Forbes’ request for comment.
Tangent
The Asia Internet Coalition represents the views of “more than 15 members,” a spokesperson told Forbes. Apple, Facebook, Google, Expedia Group, Amazon, Line, LinkedIn, Rakuten, SAP, Airbnb, Grab, Twitter, Yahoo, Booking and Cloudflare are all listed as members on the group’s website.
Crucial Quote
The proposals would effectively empower Hong Kong’s privacy watchdog to a “level akin to the Hong Kong Police Force,” the group wrote, which is ”highly unusual and out of step with international privacy developments.” The U.S. does not have a dedicated privacy regulator on the national level, though the FTC usually has jurisdiction over the issue in specific areas.
Key Background
Tech platforms are increasingly wary when dealing with Hong Kong, especially as Beijing cracks down on dissent in the city. Most social media platforms stopped processing requests for data from Hong Kong authorities in 2020 after China imposed a national security law after decades of public opposition. China argues the law bolsters national cohesion while critics decry it as an attack on freedom of expression and human rights. The law has also led to the closure of Hong Kong’s leading pro-democracy newspaper, Apple Daily, after authorities raided the paper’s office, arrested several of its journalists and executives, and froze millions of dollars worth of assets.
Further Reading
Facebook, Twitter, Google Threaten to Quit Hong Kong Over Proposed Data Laws (WSJ)
Hong Kong introduces new legal amendments to outlaw doxxing (SCMP)
