Hong Kong police officers – photo by VOA Chinese/Wiki Commons
Your passwords are no longer safe in Hong Kong.
Ever since Hong Kong returned from British rule to China in 1997, the island has devolved towards the totalitarian ways of mainland China.
In 2020, the National Security Law (NSL) imposed by Beijing crystallized this new reality.
The NSL criminalizes acts of ‘secession, subversion, terrorism, collusion with foreign forces, treason, espionage, sabotage, and external interference’.
With penalties up to life imprisonment, it even allows some cases to be tried on the mainland, and it grants police ‘broad surveillance and detention powers’.
Needless to say, this has curtailed political dissent, free speech, and pro-democracy activities in Hong Kong.
And now, it arises that Hong Kong police can demand phone or computer passwords from suspects under the NSL.
Hong Kong police given new powers to obtain phone, computer passwords https://t.co/bwU9R8FB7m https://t.co/bwU9R8FB7m
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 23, 2026
BBC reported:
“Those who refuse could face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to HK$100,000 ($12,700; £9,600), and individuals who provide ‘false or misleading information’ could face up to three years in jail.
It comes as part of new amendments to a bylaw under the NSL that the government gazetted on Monday.”
HK has introduced a new offence requiring suspects in national security investigations to surrender their passwords demanded by authorities or face up to one year in jail.
In full: https://t.co/5bfqeFf4J2 pic.twitter.com/3rSSvRBq0w
— Hong Kong Free Press HKFP (@hkfp) March 23, 2026
Officials can also now seize items that have ‘seditious intention’.
“Monday’s amendments ensure that ‘activities endangering national security can be effectively prevented, suppressed and punished, and at the same time the lawful rights and interests of individuals and organizations are adequately protected’, Hong Kong authorities said on Monday.”
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