HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong’s chief stated Tuesday his management would stay tracking for any non-compliance with a courtroom order that bans a well-liked protest music, days after YouTube blocked get admission to to dozens of movies of the music within the town.
The ban objectives any person who announces or distributes “Glory to Hong Kong” — popularly sung throughout massive anti-government protests in 2019 — to suggest for the separation of town from China. It additionally prohibits any movements that misrepresent the music because the nationwide anthem with the intent to insult the anthem.
In his weekly information briefing, Leader Government John Lee stated if the federal government discovered any cases of non-compliance, it might then notify the related web platforms concerning the content material of the injunction.
“I consider that operators typically perform throughout the legislation, so we will be able to proceed to watch the placement,” Lee stated.
The courtroom ban sought via the federal government has raised considerations over an extra decline within the town’s freedom of expression and web freedom. Critics have additionally warned it could disrupt the operation of tech giants and undermine town’s attraction as a world monetary hub.
Remaining week, YouTube blocked get admission to to 32 movies of the music that had been deemed to be “prohibited publications” beneath the injunction for audience within the town. The tech corporate stated it used to be disillusioned via the courtroom’s resolution and would proceed to believe its choices for an attraction.
Within the information briefing, Lee stated there is not any hyperlink in terms of the music proven on any native platforms and “Google’s seek doesn’t display any hyperlink to the music in query.” A central authority transcript of his feedback later clarified Lee used to be relating to hyperlinks specified within the injunction order.
The Related Press discovered movies of the music on YouTube on Tuesday morning. The music may be to be had on Spotify and Apple Tune.
It’s unclear whether or not the tech giants will block get admission to to extra video or audio clips of the music for Hong Kong audience. Google, Spotify and Apple didn’t right away remark.
“Glory to Hong Kong” is broadly observed because the protest anthem of the 2019 motion, which used to be adopted via a crackdown that has all however erased dissenting voices within the town.
Cases the place the music used to be mistakenly performed as town’s anthem at global carrying occasions, as a substitute of China’s nationwide anthem “March of the Volunteers,” even have angered town officers.
The federal government went to the courtroom remaining 12 months after Google resisted force to show China’s nationwide anthem as the highest lead to searches for town’s anthem as a substitute of the protest music.
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