Skip to main content About Contact Press People Opportunities Issues Free Speech Privacy Creativity and Innovation Transparency International Security Our Work Deeplinks Blog Press Releases Events Legal Cases Whitepapers Podcast Annual Reports Take Action Action Center Electronic Frontier Alliance Volunteer Tools Privacy Badger HTTPS Everywhere Surveillance Self-Defense Certbot Atlas of Surveillance Cover Your Tracks Crocodile Hunter Donate Donate to EFF Shop Other Ways to Give Search Email updates on news, actions, and events in your area. Join EFF Lists Copyright (CC BY) Trademark Privacy Policy Thanks Electronic Frontier Foundation Donate Civil Society Calls on Tech Firms to Oppose Protest Song Ban DEEPLINKS BLOG By Paige Collings June 23, 2023 Share on Twitter Share on Facebook A multi-colored bullhorn icon surrounded by grey-blue hexagons EFF and more than 24 civil society organizations have written to tech companies including Apple, Google, Meta, Twitter, and Spotify urging them to oppose the Hong Kong government’s application for an injunction to ban broadcasting and distribution of the 2019 protest song, “Glory to Hong Kong.” The injunction, if ordered by the court, would ban intermediaries from broadcasting, performing, selling, or distributing the song and its lyrics. It would also require companies to remove the song from their platforms. This would have a disastrous impact on the rights to freedom of expression and access to information not only in Hong Kong, but globally, and would exacerbate concerns around the tendency of Hong Kong authorities to apply abusive laws for actions committed outside Hong Kong’s territory. In December 2022, Google refused a request from authorities in Hong Kong to replace “Glory to Hong Kong” with Hong Kong’s national anthem as the top search item. More broadly, during 2022, the Hong Kong government requested that Google remove 330 items, of which 30 per cent were complied with. Similarly, between July 2020 and June 2022, Meta reported the removal of content in 50 instances after pressure from the Hong Kong government. The letter continues: We urge you to [...] oppose the Hong Kong government’s petition for an injunction by visiting Wan Chai Police Station in Hong Kong on or before June 21 to accept service, and then file an opposition within seven days. It is critical that internet intermediaries take a collective stance against Hong Kong’s censorship. Related Issues Free Speech Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Join EFF Lists Discover more. Email updates on news, actions, events in your area, and more. Anti-spam question: Enter the three-letter abbreviation for Electronic Frontier Foundation: Related Updates Deeplinks Blog by Paige Collings, Jillian C. York | June 27, 2023 Around the World, Threats to LGBTQ+ Speech Deepen Dan Ellsberg at 2018 Pioneer Awards Deeplinks Blog by Cindy Cohn | June 16, 2023 Remembering Daniel Ellsberg Cans on a shelf with Trademark symbols Deeplinks Blog by Cara Gagliano | June 9, 2023 Supreme Court Sends Bad Spaniels Back to Obedience School, Leaves Rogers Test Mostly Intact Necessary & Proportionate logo Deeplinks Blog by Karen Gullo | June 9, 2023 China Must Release Program Think Blogger Ruan Xiaohuan, Champion of Free Expression Who Spoke Out Against Censorship and Oppression Deeplinks Blog by Paige Collings | May 26, 2023 EFF at RightsCon 2023 Deeplinks Blog by Joe Mullin | May 17, 2023 Don't Mess With Texas' Anti-SLAPP Law A multi-colored bullhorn icon surrounded by grey-blue hexagons Deeplinks Blog by Jason Kelley | May 12, 2023 The Law Should Not Require Parental Consent for All Minors to Access Social Media Deeplinks Blog by Paige Collings | May 12, 2023 The UK Online Safety Bill Must Not Violate Our Rights to Free Speech And Private Communication Deeplinks Blog by Sophia Cope, Andrew Crocker | May 10, 2023 The STOP CSAM Act: Improved But Still Problematic Deeplinks Blog by Cindy Cohn, Karen Gullo | May 10, 2023 Court Accepts EFF’s Amicus Brief on the Right to Publish Code in Tornado Cash Case