Hong Kong Police Can Demand Passwords Under New National Security Rules (bbc.com)
(Tuesday March 24, 2026 @11:30PM (BeauHD)
from the PSA dept.)
- Reference: 0181098202
- News link: https://yro.slashdot.org/story/26/03/24/2138225/hong-kong-police-can-demand-passwords-under-new-national-security-rules
- Source link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8j9yj52lro
An anonymous reader quotes a report from the BBC:
> Hong Kong police [1]can now demand phone or computer passwords from those who are suspected of breaching the wide-ranging National Security Law (NSL). Those who refuse could face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $12,700, 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.
>
> The NSL was introduced in Hong Kong in 2020, in wake of massive pro-democracy protests the year before. Authorities say the laws, which target acts like terrorism and secession, are necessary for stability -- but critics say they are tools to quash dissent. The new amendments also give customs officials the power to seize items that they deem to "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. Changes to the bylaw was announced by the city's leader, John Lee, bypassing the city's legislative council. The NSL also allows for some trials to be heard behind closed doors.
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8j9yj52lro
> Hong Kong police [1]can now demand phone or computer passwords from those who are suspected of breaching the wide-ranging National Security Law (NSL). Those who refuse could face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $12,700, 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.
>
> The NSL was introduced in Hong Kong in 2020, in wake of massive pro-democracy protests the year before. Authorities say the laws, which target acts like terrorism and secession, are necessary for stability -- but critics say they are tools to quash dissent. The new amendments also give customs officials the power to seize items that they deem to "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. Changes to the bylaw was announced by the city's leader, John Lee, bypassing the city's legislative council. The NSL also allows for some trials to be heard behind closed doors.
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8j9yj52lro
I give this 3 days (Score:1)
Before its abused and a non National Security search is called National Security to gain access
Re: (Score:3)
You misunderestimate the efficiency of the political police in some locations. The only difference from before is that it is now completely legal to use that soldering iron :)