Hong Kong Police Can Now Demand Phone Passwords Under New Security Rules

4 hours ago

Hong Kong's National Security Law amendments allow authorities to demand device passwords without a warrant.
Refusal to unlock devices can result in a year in jail and a HK$100,000 fine.
Providing fake credentials carries a three-year prison sentence.
The law applies to anyone with access to encrypted data, including spouses and IT administrators.
Privacy tools like Signal and VPNs may now carry criminal liability if deemed a threat to national security.
Chief Executive John Lee implemented these changes without Legislative Council oversight.
The amendments allow customs to seize 'seditious' materials and freeze assets.
UK law lecturer Urania Chiu criticized the powers as 'grossly disproportionate' and infringing on privacy rights.
Since 2020, 386 people have been arrested under the NSL, with 176 convictions.
The changes signal how authoritarian governments can weaponize technology against users.

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