Hong Kong residents now face up to a year in prison for refusing to provide passwords to electronic devices during national security investigations.
New Powers Granted to Authorities
Hong Kong residents risk imprisonment of up to one year for failing to provide passwords to electronic devices during investigations conducted under the national security law, according to the South China Morning Post.
New executive regulations significantly expand the powers of the authorities.
Government Justification
Hong Kong authorities claim the changes are consistent with the Basic Law and human rights.
A government spokesperson stated the amendment would not affect the daily lives of the general public or the normal functioning of institutions, adding that security risks could arise “suddenly.”
Penalties and Expanded Police Authority
Under the law published Monday, failure to provide passwords and encryption data carries a fine of HK$100,000 (approximately US$12,800) and imprisonment. Providing false information increases the penalty to three years.
The changes allow police to request data from organizations based on “reasonable suspicion” of being a foreign agent, removing the requirement to prove this before a court at an early stage. The new regulations also grant police greater powers to order the removal of content from the internet.
Response to Previous Ruling
The introduction of the new restrictions follows a 2023 High Court ruling that acquitted a group of activists, criticizing investigators for a lack of concrete evidence of collaboration with foreign forces.
National Security Law’s Impact
The national security law, imposed by Beijing in 2020 under the guise of combating terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, has led to the de facto outlawing of the opposition and the arrest of hundreds of activists in Hong Kong.
