HK police can now demand phone passwords under new national security rules

Hong Kong police can now demand phone passwords under national security law Skip to content Home News Sport Business Technology Health Culture Arts Travel Earth Audio Video Live Weather Newsletters HK police can now demand phone passwords under new national security rules 23 March 2026 Share Save Add as preferred on Google Martin Yip , Hong Kong and Kelly Ng Getty Images Those who refuse to provide their phone passwords could be punished Hong Kong police can now demand phone or computer passwords from those who are suspected of breaching the wide-ranging National Security Law (NSL). Those who refuse could face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to HK$100,000 ($12,700; £9,600), and individuals who provide "false or misleading information" could face up to three years in jail. It comes as part of new amendments to a bylaw under the NSL that the government gazetted on Monday. The NSL was introduced in Hong Kong in 2020, in wake of massive pro-democracy protests the year before. Authorities say the laws, which target acts like terrorism and secession, are necessary for stability - but critics say they are tools to quash dissent. The new amendments also give customs officials the power to seize items that they deem to "have seditious intention". Monday's amendments ensure that "activities endangering national security can be effectively prevented, suppressed and punished, and at the same time the lawful rights and interests of individuals and organisations are adequately protected", Hong Kong authorities said on Monday. Changes to the bylaw was announced by the city's leader, John Lee, bypassing the city's legislative council. While law enforcement officials in many parts of the world have the authority to demand access to electronic devices as part of criminal investigations, the NSL covers a sweeping range of vaguely defined offences from secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with external forces. The NSL also allows for some trials to be heard behind closed doors. The city has seen the arrests of hundreds of protesters, activists and former opposition lawmakers since the introduction of the NSL. In February, the father of pro-democracy activist in exile was jailed for trying to cash out her insurance policy, under a homegrown law that expands on the NSL. Also in February, media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in jail after being convicted of foreign collusion and publishing seditious material under the NSL. Hong Kong jailed my dad to stop me speaking out, says activist What is Hong Kong's national security law? Asia Hong Kong anti-government protests China Hong Kong national security law Hong Kong Related Eurovision Song Contest launches first-ever Asia edition 'Felt close to death': Indian seafarers detained in Iran return home South Korea to Sri Lanka: How the Iran war impacts you if you live in Asia More from the BBC 2 hrs ago China bans storing cremated remains in empty 'bone ash apartments' China bans 'bone ash apartments' where mourners are storing cremated remains instead of cemeteries. 2 hrs ago 23 hrs ago Kris Jenner's image spreads in Chinese social media good luck trend Hundreds of thousands of posts have been shared in the past three days as users hope for prosperity 23 hrs ago 1 day ago Woman deported from China over Manx passport mix-up A woman from the Isle of Man says she was escorted back on to the plane by Chinese border guards. 1 day ago 2 days ago Why Chinese tech companies are racing to set up in Hong Kong Mainland firms are using the territory to test products and as a springboard for global expansion. 2 days ago 3 days ago One ant for $220: The new frontier of wildlife trafficking The craze for collecting ants takes Kenya by surprise as smugglers zone in to make a profit. 3 days ago