Facebook, Twitter, others to deny requests on Hong Kong user data

The policy changes follow the rollout last week of laws prohibiting what Beijing views as secessionist, subversive or terrorist activities, or as foreign intervention in internal affairs

Social media platforms and messaging apps including Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Google and Twitter say they will deny law enforcement requests for user data in Hong Kong while studying ramifications of a national security law enacted last week.

Facebook and its messaging app WhatsApp said in separate statements Monday that they would freeze the review of government requests for user data in Hong Kong, pending further assessment of the National Security Law, including formal human rights due diligence and consultations with international human rights experts.

The policy changes follow the rollout last week of laws prohibiting what Beijing views as secessionist, subversive or