American internet giants hit back at Hong Kong

An industry group representing the largest American internet companies warned Hong Kong’s government that changes to the city’s data-protection laws could impact companies’ ability to provide services in the city.

The June 25 letter, which took issue with broad new rules created to curb doxxing the targeted disclosure of an individuals’ private information was the latest sign of the dilemma faced by tech companies in Hong Kong, where the government has created harsh new rules to control what is said online.

Once a haven of internet freedom on the doorstep of China’s tightly controlled internet, Hong Kong is home to offices and servers for many major internet companies. Yet under a recent national security law, the city faces a new digital reality in which authorities have broad surveillance and censorship powers. That has increasingly called into question the viability of continuing operations for major internet companies.

The Singapore-based Asia Internet Coalition, which represents

Apple, Amazon, Google, Facebook

and other tech companies, warned in the letter that the new rules would “result in grave impact on due process and risks for freedom of expression and communication.”

Of particular concern, according to the letter, was general wording that could give police the power to impose fines and arrest local employees if the tech companies are not responsive to the new doxxing rules.

“The only way to avoid these sanctions for technology companies would be to refrain from investing and offering their services in Hong Kong, thereby depriving Hong Kong businesses and consumers, whilst also creating new barriers to trade,” the coalition wrote.

In a statement, the Asia Internet Coalition said the letter reflected an industry view, and not the policies or plans of any specific company. The Wall Street Journal first reported the existence of the letter.