Big Tech giants Facebook, Twitter and Google have warned the Hong Kong government they will pull their services out over new laws that might make their staff liable in criminal investigations for users’ online posts. Hong Kong’s plans include imposing $128,800 fines and five years in prison for doxing.
Doxing is publishing the information of private individuals without consent and usually for malicious purposes.
The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that the industry group, the Singapore-based Asia Internet Coalition, sent a letter to the Hong Kong government outlining their concerns over plans to introduce anti-doxing legislation as it could make the companies and their employees liable for criminal prosecution. The letter added that tech companies could stop offering their services in Hong Kong if the law was brought in.
The threat of a withdrawal from Hong Kong over proposed anti-doxing laws is the latest incident in a fraying relationship between the majority of American Big Tech companies and the local government.
Forsided, 06.07.2021