Under new national security regulations, HK police can now demand phone passwords.

 

Those who refuse to provide their phone passwords could be punished (Image: Getty Images)

Hong Kong police can now demand phone or computer passwords from those who are suspected of breaching the wide-ranging National Security Law (NSL).

 Those who refuse could face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to HK$100,000 ($12,700; £9,600), and individuals who provide "false or misleading information" could face up to three years in jail.

 It comes as part of new amendments to a bylaw under the NSL that the government gazetted on Monday.

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 In the wake of massive pro-democracy demonstrations the year before, the NSL was implemented in Hong Kong in the year 2020. Authorities claim that the laws, which target acts like terrorism and secession, are necessary for stability; however, opponents claim that the laws are instruments used to suppress dissent.

The new amendments also give customs officials the power to seize items that they deem to "have seditious intention".

 According to Hong Kong authorities, Monday's amendments ensure that "activities endangering national security can be effectively prevented, suppressed, and punished, while the lawful rights and interests of individuals and organizations are adequately protected." Changes to the bylaw was announced by the city's leader, John Lee, bypassing the city's legislative council.

 While law enforcement officials in many parts of the world have the authority to demand access to electronic devices as part of criminal investigations, the NSL covers a sweeping range of vaguely defined offences from secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with external forces.

 Some trials can also be heard behind closed doors under the NSL. The city has seen the arrests of hundreds of protesters, activists and former opposition lawmakers since the introduction of the NSL.

 Under a domestic law that extends the NSL, the father of an exiled pro-democracy activist was sentenced to prison in February for attempting to cash out her insurance policy. Also in February, media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in jail after being convicted of foreign collusion and publishing seditious material under the NSL.

Source: BBC