Hong Kong’s leader has stated that his administration will continue to monitor for any non-compliance with a court order banning the popular protest song “Glory to Hong Kong.” The ban targets those who advocate for the separation of the city from China and prohibits misrepresenting the song as the national anthem with the intent to insult it. Chief Executive John Lee mentioned in a news briefing that if any instances of non-compliance are found, the relevant internet platforms will be notified, as they are expected to operate within the law.
Critics have raised concerns over the decline in freedom of expression and internet freedom in Hong Kong due to the court ban on the protest song. Some have also warned that this move could disrupt the operations of tech giants and undermine the city’s appeal as a global financial hub. Last week, YouTube blocked access to 32 videos of the song in compliance with the injunction, leading to disappointment from the tech company, which is considering its options for an appeal.
Despite the ban, videos of “Glory to Hong Kong” are still accessible on platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music. The government clarified that there are no specified links related to the song on local platforms, and Google’s search does not show any links to the song in question. It remains unclear whether tech giants will block access to more video or audio clips of the song for viewers in Hong Kong. Google, Spotify, and Apple have not yet commented on the situation.
The protest anthem “Glory to Hong Kong” gained popularity during the 2019 anti-government movement in Hong Kong, which was followed by a crackdown that silenced dissenting voices in the city. Instances where the song was mistakenly played instead of China’s national anthem at international sporting events have also angered city officials. Last year, the government went to court after Google refused to display China’s national anthem as the top result in searches for the city’s anthem, instead of the protest song.
