While giant tech companies can have presence all over the world, they must still obey local laws if they wish to conduct business there. But if the laws don't benefit them, as giants, they have the power to threat.
Google, Facebook and Twitter are three of the most influential tech companies on the internet.
And in Hong Kong, the companies have privately warned the government, that they could stop offering their services, if the authorities proceed with their data protection laws plans.
What concerned the companies is that. with the laws, the tech companies can be hold liable for the malicious sharing of individuals' information on their respective platforms.
As companies with content that comes mostly from its users, there is no way for them to totally control the information.
The unreported statement was sent in June 25 from the Singapore-based Asia Internet Coalition that includes the three internet companies.
Jeff Paine, the Asia Internet Coalition's managing director, in the letter to Hong Kong's Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, said that while his group and its members are opposed to doxing, the vague wording in the proposed amendments could mean the tech companies and their employees in Hong Kong could become the subjects to criminal investigations and prosecution for doxing offenses by their users.
That would represent a "completely disproportionate and unnecessary response," the letter said.
Doxing refers to the practice of putting people's personal information online so they can be harassed by others.
The letter also noted that the proposed amendments could hinder free expression and criminalize even the most "innocent acts of sharing information online."
And because the vague wording, the Coalition suggested that a more clearly defined scope to violations should be considered, and that they are open to discuss the situation further.
The tension between some of the largest tech companies from the U.S. and Hong Kong have escalated since China exerts increasing control over the city and clamps down on political dissent.
And in May of 2021, Hong Kong's Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau proposed amendments to the city's data-protection laws that it said were needed to combat doxing, a practice that was prevalent during 2109 protests in the city.
The government has handled thousands of doxing-related cases since that year, and surveys of the public and organizations show strong support for added measures to curb the practice, said a spokeswoman for the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data.
"The amendments will not have any bearing on free speech," which is enshrined in law, and the scope of offenses are clearly set out in the amendments, the spokeswoman said.
The government "strongly rebuts any suggestion that the amendments may in any way affect foreign investment in Hong Kong," she said.
She also said that the new rules were needed to address doxing, which "has tested the limits of morality and the law."
The proposals call for punishments of up to 1 million Hong Kong dollars, or an equivalent of about $128,800, and up to five years' imprisonment.
"The only way to avoid these sanctions for technology companies would be to refrain from investing and offering the services in Hong Kong."
Representatives for Facebook, Twitter and Google declined to comment on the letter beyond acknowledging that the Coalition had sent it.
While Hong Kong with a population of about 7.5 million isn't a major market for any of the three tech companies, but foreign companies, especially those in the U.S., often cite the free flow of information in Hong Kong as a key factor for being located in the financial hub.
And this letter from the tech giants comes as global companies increasingly consider whether they need to stay or leave the financial center, to other places where business climates are more hospitable.
