Google, OpenAI Limit Services to Hong Kong Users Amid Tensions in Beijing

US tech giants have taken measures to limit their services available to users in Hong Kong as fears increase over how the influence of China will impact the companies' ability to maintain their operations. Platforms like Facebook and Google do not operate in mainland China.

Restricting Access to Hong Kong Users

Several platforms based in the United States have restricted access in Hong Kong as a way to prevent criticisms from the Chinese government. According to a report from Interesting Engineering, the city of Hong Kong enjoys platforms just like the rest of the world, that do not operate in mainland China.

While the purpose of these efforts was not confirmed by the companies, observers believe that this effort is not a coincidence, given that that expansion in the city could expose them to liability under a national security law criminalizing criticisms against the government. The law was imposed three years ago.

Platforms include Alphabet-owned Google and San Francisco-based Microsoft's OpenAI limiting their access to their artificial intelligence chatbots in the past few months in the global finance and business hub. Hong Kong joins restricted countries of OpenAI, including China, North Korea, Syria, and Ira.

Aside from these companies, CNBC reported that Disney has chosen not to bring the latest two episodes of "The Simpsons" which include references to critics against the Chinese government to its streaming service in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Apple updated its privacy policy on its internet browser late last year to use it as a tool from Tencent to warn users of malicious links. Hong Kong users previously reported that the used tool of the company temporarily blocked access to legitimate sites in the US like Twitter competitor Mastodon, crypto exchange Coinbase, and coding website GitLab.

A spokeswoman from the Hong Kong government stated that they respect the decisions of these companies, especially those who provide VPNs to launch their products. Residents are still accessing these chatbots using special third-party applications or through virtual private networks that allow them to shield their location and identity online.

Blocking Content on YouTube

These restrictions came after Hong Kong's Department of Justice dragged Google to court after a pro-democracy song was shared on its video platform YouTube. Wall Street Journal reported that the authorities cited 32 videos containing the song "Glory to Hong Kong," which has lyrics that the government says contain a slogan amounting to advocating succession.

The court order becomes the first major legal challenge to a tech company based in the United States over politically sensitive content related to Hong Kong. During the hearing request last Monday, National Security Judge Wilson Chan stated that the court would resume its deliberation on July 21st.