Communications of the ACM
Facebook, Twitter, Google Threaten to Quit Hong Kong Over Proposed Data Laws
Tensions have emerged between some U.S. tech firms and Hong Kong authorities.
Credit: Roy Liu/Bloomberg News
Facebook, Twitter, and Google have privately threatened to halt service to Hong Kong if the city revises data protection ordinances that could make the companies liable for doxing, or malicious online sharing of individuals' information.
The Singapore-based Asia Internet Coalition, which the Internet firms are members of, expressed concern the proposed rules' vague language could subject their employees to criminal investigations or prosecution for doxing by their users.
"The only way to avoid these sanctions for technology companies would be to refrain from investing and offering the services in Hong Kong," states a letter from the Coalition.
The letter further said the proposed revisions could curtail free expression and outlaw even "innocent acts of sharing information online."
From The Wall Street Journal
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