image credit: Reuters Hong Kong has defended proposed privacy law reforms, dismissing concerns expressed by a technology industry group. The new rule is aimed at “doxxing,” or the illegal publication of people’s personal information on the internet. However, an industry group claims that technology behemoths may abandon the city for fear of being held liable for user content. Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s leader, said officials will engage with businesses concerned about the reforms. The Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), based in Singapore, argued the proposed legislation was overly broad in a letter. The AIC’s members include Facebook, Google, Twitter, and Apple. The AIC stated that “the local staff of foreign platforms in Hong Kong are not accountable for the platforms’ operations; nor do they…have the right or control to administer the online platform contents.” “The only way for technology companies to escape these fines is to desist from investing and selling their services in Hong Kong, so depriving Hong Kong businesses and consumers while also imposing new trade obstacles,” the letter continued. The letter was addressed to Hong Kong’s Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data and was written on June 25 and made public on Monday. HK The stock of a beverage company has dropped as a result of the boycott in China. Under Chinese pressure, Hong Kong’s free press sags. In Hong Kong, the first trial under the country’s strict security laws begins. The government department responded by stating that the modifications to the legislation will only apply to illicit doxxing. According to the BBC, the letter makes no mention of specific companies or that any of the members intends to depart Hong Kong. On Tuesday, Hong Kong’s chief executive dismissed the worries when asked about the warning. “We’re addressing illegal doxxing and giving the privacy commissioners the authority to investigate and carry out operations,” Ms Lam said at a weekly press conference. She also stated that her government would continue to push for the new legislation to be passed quickly. After widespread usage of doxxing during pro-democracy rallies in 2019, Hong Kong’s administration announced plans to alter data privacy regulations in May. The tactic was used to identify police officers and court officials who had assisted in the internet suppression of protests or worked on instances in which activists were prosecuted. Journalists and activists were also singled out for attack. The proposed legislation would prohibit doxxing and provide authorities the authority to order social media corporations and websites to delete personal information from their platforms. Hong Kong, a former British colony, was handed to Chinese control in 1997 with pledges of maintained freedoms. Beijing, according to pro-democracy advocates, is eroding those liberties, particularly in the aftermath of a contentious national security law passed last year. These charges are denied by China. The BBC reached out to Google and Apple for comment, but neither company responded right away. The BBC was directed to the AIC’s original letter by Facebook and Twitter. Yahoo Hong Kong’s national security law can be found on Twitter, Facebook, and Google. China LinkedIn Hong Kong is a city in Hong Kong. Use of social media/n
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