TikTok to Exit the Hong Kong Market
Chinese video-sharing app TikTok announced on Tuesday it would exit the Hong Kong market within days, as major tech groups around the world have a tough time figuring out how to continue conducting business in the city under the new security legislation implemented by China.
The move is notable since the social media platform is owned by Chinese firm ByteDance Ltd., although it was launched only for users outside mainland China as part of the parent company’s strategy to expand its global audience.
The withdrawal of the short-form video app means Hong Kong users, like those in mainland China, will now have no access of the global version.
The announcement came after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed on Monday that the administration was looking at a potential ban of TikTok in the US.
A source familiar with the decision of the Chinese platform to pull out from Hong Kong said the city was a small loss-making market for the group.
Asked about the firm’s plan to leave Hong Kong, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian stated that the business environment would improve after the law was established.
US Internet Giants Halt Review of Hong Kong Data Requests
US internet giants, including Facebook Inc. Microsoft Corp., Google Inc., Twitter, and Zoom Video Communications Inc. have all announced plans to put the processing of requests for user data from Hong Kong authorities on hold while they examine the new law.
The US companies’ social media platforms are generally banned in China, where access is blocked by its internet censorship system known as the great firewall.
Most platforms have operated without restrictions in Hong Kong, but now they will need to figure out how to follow the new measures for the city, which rights groups said threaten the freedom enjoyed for decades.
Facebook, which also owns WhatsApp and Instagram, stated on Monday that it was suspending reviews of user data requests for all services, pending further assessment of the National Security Law.
Google and Twitter said they paused their reviews of data requests from Hong Kong law-enforcement agencies after the measure was enforced last week. Zoom and Microsoft’s LinkedIn has released similar statements on Tuesday.
As regards Apple Inc., the iPhone-maker said it does not receive requests for user content straight from Hong Kong, although the city’s authorities need to submit their requests through the US Department of Justice under a legal assistance treaty.
The California-based company said they were assessing the new law and they have not received any content requests since the law went into effect.
Ultimately, time and facts will tell that this law will not undermine human rights and freedoms, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Tuesday in response to a question on the US tech giants’ decisions to postpone the processing of requests for user data.
