No plans for Hong Kong to ban Facebook, YouTube under Article 23 security law, ministers say after media outlet sparks online fears
- Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, security chief Chris Tang respond to Bloomberg article that highlighted suggestions for proposed law included ban on some social media
- ‘I can clearly and firmly say that the government has no intention to ban any social media,’ Lam says
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok and security chief Chris Tang Ping-keung on Wednesday responded to a Bloomberg article about the proposed legislation’s consultation report, which listed a summary of public views, including a call for a ban on Facebook, YouTube and Telegram, an instant messaging service that was widely used during the anti-government protests in 2019.
The article generated heated debate online and led the government to issue a statement condemning the international news outlet, which later corrected its original headline to highlight that the proposal had been suggested by members of the public.
“I can clearly and firmly say that the government has no intention to ban any social media,” Lam said at a Legislative Council joint panel meeting to scrutinise the planned legislation.
“We have to understand that social media is a tool and we will not put a stop to a tool’s existence,” he added. “We are targeting the people who abuse or misuse this tool to spread speech that harms or jeopardises national security.”
Lam said Hong Kong enjoyed freedom of information and speech and that the two principles were protected under the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution.
“Hong Kong is an international centre. Whether it is for finance or trading, it relies heavily on the free flow of information,” he said.
“These unique advantages must still be strengthened and safeguarded under the premise of protecting national security.”
