YouTube blocks Hong Kong protest anthem after court injunction bans song

HONG KONG (AP) — YouTube has blocked entry to movies of a protest track in Hong Kong, days after courtroom accepted an injunction banning the track within the metropolis.

“Glory to Hong Kong” was an anthem of anti-government protests in 2019. YouTube mentioned that it will adjust to a removing order and block entry to over 32 YouTube movies of the track that have been deemed to be “prohibited publications” below the injunction.

Makes an attempt to entry the YouTube movies from Hong Kong on Wednesday confirmed that they have been unavailable. A message confirmed saying that “This content material will not be out there on this nation area as a result of a courtroom order.”

In approving the federal government’s utility to ban the track, the courtroom agreed it may very well be “weaponized” and used to incite secession.

“We’re disenchanted by the courtroom’s determination however are complying with its removing order by blocking entry to the listed movies for viewers in Hong Kong,” YouTube, which is owned by Alphabet Inc., mentioned in an emailed assertion.

“We’ll proceed to think about our choices for an attraction, to advertise entry to info,” the corporate mentioned, including that it shared the issues of human rights organizations concerning the chilling impact the ban would have on free expression on-line.

Hyperlinks to the 32 movies on YouTube can even not present up on Google Seek for customers in Hong Kong, based on YouTube.

George Chen, co-chair of digital follow at Asia Group, a Washington-headquartered enterprise and coverage consultancy, mentioned it’s value watching how aggressively Hong Kong authorities can be in ordering web platforms to take away the track.

Chen, who was the previous head of public coverage for Higher China at Meta, mentioned that if the federal government begins sending platforms tons of of hyperlinks to take away day-after-day, that may possible undermine investor confidence in Hong Kong.

“That can damage Hong Kong’s status as a number one monetary middle as a result of we all know how vital a free movement of information and knowledge means to a monetary middle,” he mentioned. “So the federal government ought to be very cautious and concentrate on some unintended penalties that will affect its financial restoration and traders’ confidence.”

Web and social media platforms reminiscent of YouTube sometimes have insurance policies for removing requests from governments.

“Glory to Hong Kong” was usually sung by demonstrators throughout large anti-government protests in 2019. The track was later mistakenly performed as town’s anthem at worldwide sporting occasions, as a substitute of China’s “March of the Volunteers,” in mix-ups that upset metropolis officers.

Authorities earlier arrested some residents who performed the track in public below different offenses, reminiscent of taking part in a musical instrument in public with no allow, native media reported.

Critics have mentioned prohibiting broadcast or distribution of the track additional reduces freedom of expression since Beijing launched a crackdown within the former British colony following the 2019 protests. They’ve additionally warned the ban may disrupt the operation of tech giants and damage town’s attraction as a enterprise middle.

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Related Press author Kanis Leung contributed to this report.