Social-Media
Facebook and WhatsApp stop reviews of Hong Kong requests for user data
Facebook confirmed that after the introduction of the new national security law imposed in Beijing, processing requests for user data from Hong Kong authorities have been suspended.
TechCrunch spokesperson said he would "stop" processing requests for information until it is able to better understand the new national security law, "including formal human rights due diligence and consultations with experts in human rights." "We believe freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and support people's right to express themselves," he added.
Facebook confirmed that after the introduction of the new national security law imposed in Beijing, processing requests for user data from Hong Kong authorities have been suspended.
TechCrunch spokesperson said he would "Pause" processing requests for information until it is able to better understand the new national security law, "including formal human rights due diligence and consultations with experts in human rights." "We believe freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and support people's right to express themselves," he added.
The suspension of Facebook also applies to the WhatsApp it owns.
The Wall Street Journal reported the suspension first.
Hong Kong has long been seen by Tech Giants as a friendly outpost in Asia as a semi-independent city nation state, but under the "one country , two systems" principle of Beijing. Hong Kong has far greater liberties than mainland China, which has widespread government monitoring and censorship.
But Hong Kong citizens are undermined by the new national security law imposed unilaterally on 30 June by the Chinese government in effect.
The law removes provisions that require a court order from authorities before it can request data from web companies, such as Facebook.
A leading manager of industry who chairs the Hong Kong Association of Internet Providers said internet providers couldn't afford anything but to adhere to the new law.
Facebook – and other technological giants following in its footsteps – is likely to be warned by Beijing, which has already been banned by Western technological giants, like Facebook and Twitter, on the mainland. WhatsApp, together with Telegram and WeChat is very popular in Hong Kong.
The transparency report on Facebook shows 384 requests for user information from the authorities in Hong Kong were received by the social media giant last year, and less than half of the requests were fulfilled in the latter half.
Telegram also reportedly announced on Monday that data requests from the Hong Kong authorities would not be processed anymore.
