Court issued restrictions on the injunction to ban online free speechConcerns over Internet censorship remained

（2019年11月15日，香港）香港互聯網協會週一（11月11日）入稟覆核律政司司長向高等法院申請的臨時禁制令，禁制任何人於網上，包括連登討論區及 Telegram，發佈或轉發任何促進、鼓勵或煽動使用或威脅使用暴力的言論。

今日高等法院開庭審理案件，法官下午裁定臨時禁制令繼續生效，然而法官採納香港互聯網協會的觀點，要求政府釐清及收窄臨時禁制令的範圍。在宣讀判詞中，法官表明法庭無意要求互聯網平台審查或過濾內容，相信有效釐清對於互聯網上的平台、 中介及互聯網供應商的法律責任。法官亦下令更改禁制令的部份字眼，表示禁制令在執行上必須要確保發布及散播內容人士是有意圖煽動暴力。

香港互聯網協會及立法會資訊及科技界議員莫乃光認為法庭裁決將原本過於廣泛及含糊不清的臨時禁制令拉近至現有的刑事法例，執法單位必須證明『意圖』方能採取法律行動。然而，對於政府繼續用禁制令方式繞過現行法例，協會及莫乃光批評政府繼續製造寒蟬效應及令網民進行自我審查，影響網上表達自由。

雖然法庭裁決將原本範圍不清晰及過闊的臨時禁制令收窄，協會及莫乃光表示將持續關注政府會否申請新禁令或利用《緊急情況規例條例》實施『封網』，會採取一切手段阻止政府引入類似內地式的網絡防火長城。

香港互聯網協會及莫乃光感謝法律團隊的努力，會與團隊研究下一步行動，並感謝參與眾籌行動的市民。

(15th November 2019, Hong Kong) The Internet Society Hong Kong (ISOC HK) filed a civil action in court on Monday (11th November), seeking to challenge the government’s interim injunction to affect free speech online. The High Court today heard the case.

Judgement was issued this afternoon which the injunction will continue to be effective. However, taking into account the legal perspectives of ISOC HK, the judge narrowed the scope of the original injunction and amended that only those with the intent to incite will be found guilty under the new injunction order. The judgement also made clear that platform operators are not required under the injunction order to exercise instantaneous censorship of the online content of all posts on the platforms, or to police or filter out information or messages. 

The original injunction order was believed to be vague and overbroad. Commenting on the judgement, the Internet Society Hong Kong and IT legislator Charles Mok remarked that with the judgement today, the new injunction order has moved closer to existing criminal offences which proving intent is necessary for the enforcement authorities to take legal actions. However, the new injunction order still seeks to create chilling effect and force the public to engage in self-censorship.

Both the IT organisation and Mok expressed their concerns that even with a restricted injunction order, the government may issue new injunction orders or apply the Emergency Regulations Ordinance to introduce Internet shutdown and that must be stopped at all costs.

They expressed their gratitude to the legal team for their efforts and will discuss the next step forward. They were also grateful to the support of the public who has participated in the crowdfunding campaign. 

Read more

Internet Society Hong Kong’s Legal Challenge Against Govt’s Injunction of Blocking Free Speech Online

政府早前取得臨時禁制令，禁止任何於網上包括LIHKG及Telegram 發佈或轉發煽動暴力的言論 。禁制令條文涵蓋內容廣泛而含糊不清 , 限制網上言論, 更可迫使ISP 過濾內容甚至封鎖網站 。香港互聯網協會決定眾籌向法庭入稟覆核 ，阻止政府引入禁網。

The High Court in Hong Kong issued an interim injunction prohibiting anyone from posting and re-posting any information that promotes violence, including on LIHKG and Telegram. The injunction is vague and over-broad, and compromises freedom of speech online. Potentially the govt could even force ISPs into censoring or restricting access to certain sites. ISOC HK has decided to file a civil action to review against the injunction to defend Internet freedom, with the help from crowdfunding.

眾籌詳情 Crowdfunding details： https://gogetfunding.com/jrcensorship/

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

高等法院於10月31日頒布臨時禁制令，禁止任何人於網上，包括 LIHKG 及 Telegram，發佈或轉發任何促進、鼓勵或煽動使用或威脅使用暴力的言論。政府近日三番四次利用申請禁制令，變相繞過社會討論和立法會程序，無法無天。今次的禁制令侵犯市民言論自由，形同實施大規模 「網禁」的熱身動作。此例一開，全面網絡審查勢將再推進一步。

禁制令條文涵蓋內容廣泛而含糊不清，在連登和 Telegram發表批評警察濫暴或不滿政府的言論，甚至轉發網上內容隨時可被視為「煽動或教唆」，市民容易誤墮法網，猶如大陸的網上文字獄。更甚者，禁制令包括任何協助他人發佈相關言論，政府有可能會以禁令逼使網上平台或互聯網供應商過濾內容甚至封鎖網站。政府表面上透過禁制令禁止網上言論，日後隨時可再進一步實行網絡審查，徹底摧毀香港的資訊自由流通，後果不堪設想。香港作為全球資訊和互聯網樞紐，此舉對香港的聲譽造成無可挽回的嚴重損害。

再者，禁制令限制網上言論，製造寒蟬效應和白色恐怖，令市民在網上發言時自我審查。若不全力阻止，警察將可動輒以言入罪，令港人日後如大陸一般，因在網上發言而被安插「莫須有」罪名。

剝奪市民網上表達言論的自由，絕不能成為先例。為了阻止政府引入「禁網」，我們決定向法庭入稟覆核，竭力阻止「網上文字獄」的禁制令繼續生效。我們希望法庭裁定禁制令違憲，全力阻擋政府日後任何類似大陸式的防火長城過濾互聯網和言論審查的可能。此案或會上訴至更高的法院，法律費用不菲；一旦敗訴，我方或須承擔政府一方高昂的訟費。

對抗「防火長城」入侵香港，非單靠我們可以成事，因此我們發起眾籌計劃支持今次覆核和日後或出現的相關訴訟，希望香港人支持，一同守護香港網絡和言論自由。

The High Court in Hong Kong issued an interim injunction on October 31st, prohibiting anyone from willfully posting and reposting “any material or information that promotes, encourages or incites the use or threat of violence” online, including on LIHKG and Telegram. The latest government’s move to file another injunction was yet again an attempt to circumvent due public consultation and legislative process. The injunction is a severe threat to freedom of expression online. It is also an extremely dangerous first step of Internet censorship that we fear the government is paving way for implementing Internet shutdown.

The injunction provisions are overbroad, anyone who issues comments on police brutality and criticism on the government could potentially be construed to be “inciting, aiding or abetting” others to commit unlawful acts. The injunction can even go further to include anyone who simply ‘like’, share and respond to the comments. It is possible that with the use of the injunction, the government may force online platforms and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to censor and restrict access to websites and applications, or request private information of online users who are aiding in the dissemination of the online content. The injunction will not only affect free speech online, it will destroy Hong Kong’s open and free Internet, as well as free flow of information, if the government seeks to invoke more power to censor the Internet.

Introducing Internet censorship of online speech is similar to the Great Firewall of China. It is a serious breach of citizens’ freedom of expression and Hong Kong’s long cherished free flow of information. The government’s injunction creates a chilling effect, spreads white terror, and forces the public to engage in self-censorship. If the situation remains unchecked, the police could potentially use the injunction to persecute more innocent and law abiding citizens who have the courage to speak up against the government and injustice.

We must not allow a dangerous precedent to be set in curbing online free speech. In our best efforts to avert Internet blocking and censorship, we have decided to file a civil action to challenge against the injunction. We hope the court would rule the injunction unconstitutional and block the possibility of any attempts to censor the Internet in the future. The funds raised will be used to pay for the legal costs of the legal actions and bringing the case to higher courts if needed.

The fight against the Great Firewall of China belongs to us all. We call on you support on this crowdfunding campaign and together, we defend our freedom of speech and an open and free Internet.

Read more

FOR ISOC HK MEMBERS ONLY

NOTICE OF AGM AND ELECTION

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Internet Society Hong Kong Limited will be held on 10-Dec-2019 (Tuesday).

The Election of the Board of Directors will be held in the AGM. Five seats of the Board will be opened for election, with four seats for full member category and one seat for general member category. For joining the election, please fill in the appropriate nomination form and submit the form on or before 3 Dec 2019.

Annual General Meeting 2019

Date: 10-Dec-2019 ( Tuesday)
Time: 7:30 – 8:30pm (please be punctual)
Venue: Oursky, Rm B, 10/F, Great Wall Building, Lai Chi Kok, Hong Kong 

Participants: Internet Society Hong Kong members only
Registration: Please email to [email protected]

Agenda of Meeting

1. Confirmation of Agenda
2. Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meeting:
   Minutes: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1q8uv9JCSklwWvXHc9tJcT6hWQTNNk_6K
3. Confirmation of Business Report
4. Confirmation of Financial Report
5. Election of Board of Directors
6. AOB

Here you are the link to download the financial report:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_cW4noi4XdDSTR0Nl9mdW5sVXNqckpqbUMtWUxneFBJOEhJ/view?usp=sharing

Here you are the links to download the nomination forms:
Full Member:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1CT1vUjamTfwaIHo65K4FgGCAK05U0DER
General Member:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=15qCUyWi_MbFazHqEkCoOh0pEbf3kmgsz
Please email your request to [email protected] for password.

Members can also participate through signing the proxy form: https://drive.google.com/open?id=12TUl2xVHatL4KteOH1uyg6LbKR0mxUSC. Please email your request to [email protected] for password.

An Election Committee was appointed on 6th November, 2019. The members are Charles Low, Edmon Chung, Edwin Chu and May Yeung.

Read more

10月5日香港特區政府自成立以來首次引用《緊急情況規例條例》第 241 章 （下稱「緊急法」）, 然而該緊急法列明行政長官及行政會議認為屬緊急情況時，可就「對刊物、文字、地圖、圖則、照片、通訊及通訊方法的檢查、管制及壓制」作出規定，政府宣佈引用「緊急法」時，亦未有排除再次引用緊急法進一步擴大禁止的範圍。社會大眾憂慮到香港政府未來可能藉緊急法切斷示威地區的互聯網及通訊服務，甚或封鎖與社會運動有關的網絡平台。

我們業界因此發出此份聯合聲明，呼籲政府三思而後行，不應引用「緊急法」切斷網絡、審查互聯網或限制資訊流通來對應近期發生的社會運動，因此舉不單損害香港人既有的權利和自由，更無助平息民憤，但卻可能會破壞香港的國際聲譽。

互聯網和通訊自由乃受基本法所保障

我們深信基本法所保障的言論、新聞、出版自由亦適用於互聯網的媒界上，網絡用家擁有獲取、分享資訊及言論表達的自由和權利，免於被審查、屏蔽、或以言入罪的恐懼。

香港受基本法保障各種自由，法治精神及制度享譽國際，亦因此得以成為一級國際城市。政府若為近期社會活動，引用「緊急法」管制互聯網，將損害基本法所保障的權利和自由，還可能對香港的法制以及國際聲譽做成不可挽回的破壞。

影響香港的國際金融中心和互聯網通訊樞紐地位

切斷或審查互聯網通訊服務亦會窒礙香港的經濟活動和削弱區域通訊樞紐地位。香港作為國際金融中心，十分依賴互聯網和通訊網絡從事金融活動，任何審查互聯網的技術亦將會把香港的互聯網置入類似防火牆的監控當中，並有可能造成巨大經濟損失。香港是亞太區域互聯網通訊樞紐，對科技行業而言，審查互聯網亦將嚴重影響行業日常工作，打擊國際及本港科技和創科公司對香港的信心，使科技和創科人才流失至其他鄰近地區，削弱自身競爭力，亦有機會令外資對香港失去信心，繼而撤資，損害香港經濟。

香港新聞自由收窄及國際形象受損

以互聯網作出現況直播以及提供實時資訊更新是近來媒體常用的報導手法。若政府以緊急法限制互聯網的使用，將會阻礙記者採訪及媒體報導，損害新聞自由和香港市民知情權。此舉會令香港的新聞自由收窄，將嚴重傷害香港作為自由城市的聲譽，令國際進一步對香港失去信心。

干擾互聯網將嚴重影響日常生活以至公眾安全

香港普羅大眾十分依賴互聯網互通消息，一旦互聯網服務無法正常使用，市民的日常生活將會大受影響，甚至影響公眾安全。在無法使用互聯網的情況下，不論社會運動人士又或者普通市民均無法知道如何離開現場到達安全地方，更遑論與家人朋友取得聯繫報平安，這樣將會造成市民不必要的恐慌。

懇請政府須承諾不會管制互聯網，以釋市民憂慮

開放的互聯網，絕對包含網絡私隱，例如以匿名身份發表言論，是香港言論自由和信息流通的基礎，亦是基本人權的一環。故此，我們業界懇請香港政府承諾，不會引用「緊急法」進一步檢查、管制，壓制或切斷互聯網及通訊服務，或者阻礙資訊流通，以釋除市民憂慮、保障香港市民的安全和權益。

二零一九年十月八日 

香港互聯網協會、香港無線科技商會 、香港互聯網供應商協會

Read more

Cybercrime law in Hong Kong: Way Forward

科技罪行法例改革: 何去何從?

Event details

Date: 24th July, 2019 (Wednesday)
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Venue: ZEROZONE, 9/F, Tungtex Building, 203 Wai Yip Street, Kwun Tong
Language: Cantonese
Rundown: 1. Speakers sharing 2. Panel discussion 3. Floor discussion
Remark: free entry with prior registration; live broadcast on Facebook (TBC)
Registration: https://forms.gle/81r1ESeDwsYDQqC89
Registration deadline: 21st July, 2019 (Sun)

Speakers:

• Mr. Randy Shek, Barrister, Progressive Lawyers Group (法政匯思)
• Mr. Lento Yip, Chairman, Hong Kong Internet Service Providers Association (HKISPA)
• Mr. Chester Soong, Director, Internet Society Hong Kong (ISOC HK)
• Hon Charles Mok, Legislative Councillor, IT Constituency

Introduction

Over the past decade, reports of technology crimes in Hong Kong have jumped more than eight folds. Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal has recently ruled against the use of ‘one-size-fits-all’ charge for smartphone-related crimes. It means that under Section 161 of the Crimes Ordinance, “obtaining access to a computer for criminal or dishonest gain” should not apply to a person’s own phone or computer.

To address the rapid developments in this area, as well as the potential for new technologies to be exploited for carrying out criminal activities, the Law Reform Commission Cybercrime Sub-committee commenced its study in January 2019.

Many countries including China have addressed such issues by enacting or updating current “cybercrime” laws. While purportedly aimed at addressing increased threats of cybercrimes, these efforts have produced deeply flawed legislation that jeopardizes freedom of expression online in many countries.

As Hong Kong begins to explore the future of cybercrime laws, the Internet Society of Hong Kong and Office of the Hon Charles Mok, Legislative Councillor (IT) will organize a seminar to examine different perspectives on this topic, including from legal professionals, information security experts, internet service providers, and civil society to raise awareness on the important issues that the government’s effort of updating cybercrime law must consider.

Discussion topics (tentative)

• Cyber security and cyber-crime trends in Hong Kong 
• Challenges of countering cyber crimes
• Existing legislation: a review of its purpose and efficacy in combating computer-related crimes
• Tackling technology crime and safeguarding human rights: how can we strike a balance?
• What can we learn from the efforts in overseas jurisdictions trying to tackle cybercrime by legislation?

Read more