Hong Kong court extends online messaging ban aimed at those inciting violence, which authorities say has had ‘very real and meaningful effect’
- Order was originally granted on October 31 but had been challenged by Hong Kong Internet Society
- Police officers in city have increasingly been targeted by online users
Mr Justice Russell Coleman of the High Court allowed the order he granted on October 31 to continue until trial or further order, despite objections raised by the Hong Kong Internet Society, which stepped in as an affected party in the legal action initiated by the secretary for justice.
Under the temporary order granted last month, anyone who “unlawfully and wilfully” disseminates, circulates, publishes or republishes any material on online platforms – such as popular Reddit-like forum LIHKG or messaging app Telegram – that “promotes, encourages or incites the use or threat of violence” will be punished for contempt of court.
The ban aimed to curb illegal acts that could cause “bodily injury to any person” as well as “damage to any property”, according to the order.
However, the Internet Society – comprising 1,890 members who work in internet-related fields – argued the ban was an attempt to censor online content, threatening freedom of expression.
