YouTube Blocks Hong Kong Protest Anthem After Court Injunction

YouTube has restricted access to videos featuring the protest anthem "Glory to Hong Kong" after a court injunction banned the song in the city. The anthem gained prominence during the 2019 anti-government protests. YouTube confirmed its compliance with the court order, removing over 32 videos of the song classified as "prohibited publications" under the injunction.

Efforts to view these videos from Hong Kong now yield an unavailability message, citing a court order. The court reasoned that the song could be used to incite secession, leading to the approval of the government's ban request.

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Expressing disappointment, YouTube stated its compliance with the removal order while considering options for appeal to safeguard access to information. The move raised concerns among human rights organizations about its impact on free expression online.

Links to the banned videos will also be omitted from Google Search results in Hong Kong. George Chen, co-chair of digital practice at Asia Group, cautioned against aggressive content removal, highlighting potential repercussions on investor confidence and Hong Kong's status as a financial hub.

The anthem, frequently sung during the 2019 protests, was mistakenly played at international events instead of China's anthem, causing diplomatic tensions. Authorities previously arrested individuals for publicly playing the song without permits. Critics argue that the ban further erodes freedom of expression and may hinder tech companies' operations, impacting the city's appeal as a business hub.