Hong Kong Imposes One-Year Jail for Refusing Police Passwords
Hong Kong's national security law now mandates one-year prison sentences and HK$100,000 fines ($12,780) for individuals who refuse to provide police with passwords or decryption methods for electronic devices during national security investigations. The amendment, effective Monday, expands penalties for non-compliance beyond previous obstruction charges. The law targets people under investigation for endangering national security, device owners, and those possessing passwords. Chief Executive John Lee stated the rules aim to prevent, suppress, and punish security threats while protecting lawful rights. This follows Hong Kong's 2024 security law implementation after 2019 pro-democracy protests. For Nigerian residents in Hong Kong, this represents heightened surveillance risks under China's national security framework.