Hong Kong is mulling real-name registration programme for mobile phone SIM cards in a move likely to spark privacy and surveillance fears.
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau will lead a press conference at 2.30pm to announce details of a public consultation.
“The ability for people to be easily reachable and connect to the internet is important for a prosperous digital economy,” Hong Kong-based IT security expert Leo Weese told HKFP. “Placing arbitrary restrictions on who can and cannot communicate with the world contravenes the desire to develop and expand Hong Kong’s economy.”
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced in 2017 that everyone in China would have to use a SIM card that was linked to their identity. Phones have required real name registration in the mainland since 2010.
In early January, Hong Kong police ordered the city’s major telecoms providers to block access to an anti-government website, in the first instance of internet censorship since the onset of the national security law last June.
Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact Us | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps
Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team
LATEST FROM HKFP
HKFP has an impartial stance, transparent funding, and balanced coverage guided by an Ethics Code and Corrections Policy.
Support press freedom & help us surpass 1,000 monthly Patrons: 100% independent, governed by an ethics code & not-for-profit.
