Political situation in Hong Kong

New law in Hong Kong forces people to hand over passwords

A new law in Hong Kong gives the police the right to demand passwords for computers and mobile phones - otherwise you risk heavy fines or long prison sentences, reports the Hong Kong Free Press. The new regulation falls under China's National Security Law, which was passed in 2020 after massive anti-regime protests in Hong Kong.

The requirement applies to those suspected of crimes that threaten the country's security and also includes professions that usually have secrecy or source protection. For example, doctors, journalists and lawyers. If you refuse, you risk up to a year in prison or a fine of just over 100,000 kronor.

The government claims that the new powers make it possible to stop terrorist crimes and other crimes that threaten the country.

New "password law" threatens fundamental rights

The law in Hong Kong that gives the police the right to demand passwords for residents' computers and mobile phones restricts fundamental rights. This is what Professor Urania Chiu, an expert on the legal system in Hong Kong, told Reuters.

“The extensive powers given to law enforcement agencies, without the requirement of court approval, are clearly disproportionate to the purpose that the law claims to have,” she said.

The new requirement was adopted by the government on Monday with the aim of combating crimes related to national security. Refusing to give out passwords risks a year in prison or a large fine.

According to the Ministry of Security, a total of 386 people have been arrested for national security crimes. One case that has attracted much attention is the verdict against Jimmy Lai. The media mogul was sentenced in February 2026 to 20 years in prison in Hong Kong for collaborating with a foreign power under the security law.