Facebook Cs Refuses To Follow Hong Kong's Request To Share User Data

Social media platform illustration (unsplash)

JAKARTA - WhatsApp, Telegram to Twitter and Google ensure that their platforms will not respond to requests for data access from the government or law enforcement officials in Hong Kong. This rejection is the result of the implementation of the new National Security Law (UU) which was implemented on 1 July.

In a statement WhatsApp and its parent company Facebook suspended requests from the Hong Kong government to share access to information data. This is considered to be against the freedom of expression that users have on the platform.

"Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and supports people's right to express themselves without fear for their safety or other repercussions," Facebook said as quoted from 9to5Mac, Wednesday, July 8.

Both Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram see this new law as a form of efforts by the Hong Kong government for matters related to anti-government movements. This includes deleting social media if the activists' posts are considered subversive by the government.

Meanwhile Telegram raised serious concerns about the implications of this rule of law. It understands the importance of user rights and privacy in Hong Kong that need to be protected.

"The company is committed to protecting users who use our services, including their freedom of opinion," said Telegram spokesman Mike Ravdonikas.

The decision by the tech giants and social media networks is a response to Hong Kong's new national security law. This is because this regulation includes new types of crimes such as conspiring with foreigners or provoking hatred against the Chinese government or Hong Kong authorities on digital platforms.

Later the police and law enforcement officers will be given new powers to sue social media accounts and platforms to remove content that they think threatens national security. There is a fine and imprisonment for 1 year awaiting if you do not comply with these rules.