Hong Kong security law: Facebook, Twitter, Google ‘pause’ police help

Popular technology companies Facebook, WhatsApp, Google, Twitter, and Telegram are all set to  “pause” co-operation when Hong Kong police request for the users’ information.

China has been facing immense criticism by several countries for enforcing the controversial security law, they say it has violated Hong Kong’s autonomy.

Apple is likely to be under pressure to do the same. Services of other technology companies, except for Apple, are blocked in China.

Facebook, Twitter, and Google sell advertising to Chinese clients.

Social media app Telegram has first announced plans to stop co-operation.

It reported to Hong Kong Free Press on Sunday, “We understand the right of privacy of our Hong Kong users,”

“Accordingly, Telegram does not intend to process any data requests related to its Hong Kong users until an international consensus is reached in relation to the ongoing political changes in the city.”

Facebook also decided to halt requests, “pending further assessment” of the human rights issues. It also said that no personal information about the users was leaked or disclosed from its Hong Kong office.

“We believe freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and support the right of people to express themselves without fear for their safety or other repercussions,”

Furthermore, WhatsApp too announced the same plan, saying it “believes in the right for people to have a private conversation online” and “we remain committed to providing private and secure messaging services to our users in Hong Kong”.

Moreover, Google said it has decided to pause production on any new data requests when the new rules will be implemented last week.

“We’ll continue to review the details of the new law,”

Twitter announced the same plan.