China expands cybersecurity campaign to Hong Kong and Macau

For the first time, Hong Kong and Macau have been included in China's annual cybersecurity awareness campaign, which runs from September 9 to 15 in mainland China, starting two days earlier in the two territories. This initiative is viewed by analysts as an effort to extend the level of internet control and censorship found in mainland China to these regions, which were previously under British and Portuguese rule. The campaign features new surveillance technologies and censorship methods introduced through various forums and exhibitions. Critics express concern that this move signifies an escalation of state surveillance in Hong Kong and Macau, mirroring the extensive controls already in place in mainland China. There are fears that popular international platforms, such as Facebook and YouTube, may face blocking or banning, similar to the restrictions imposed by the Great Firewall. The campaign coincides with growing opposition to a proposed National Internet ID System, which would require users to verify their identities online, raising alarms about potential stifling of creativity and personal freedom. Despite significant backlash from scholars and the public, the Chinese Communist Party's push for online control continues. Recent discussions among officials have focused on combating what they term “online rumors,” a strategy perceived as a means to suppress free speech. The China Internet Civilization Conference further emphasized the regime's commitment to controlling online discourse in alignment with party objectives. While the National Internet ID System may be temporarily shelved due to public criticism, the overarching strategy to strengthen state control over the internet remains firmly in place, indicating a persistent trend toward increased surveillance and censorship in Hong Kong and Macau.