Hong Kong grants police power to demand phone and computer passwords

Hong Kong's government has granted police the power to demand passwords for phones and computers without obtaining a warrant first. The new provisions allow officers to seize devices they believe contain material related to "seditious intention," circumventing the judicial authorization normally required for such searches. The move expands police authority under Hong Kong's national security framework, which Beijing has used to crack down on dissent since 2020. Critics argue the measure further erodes privacy protections and due process in the territory, enabling authorities to access personal communications with minimal oversight. The change reflects Hong Kong's broader shift toward stricter security measures that have drawn concerns from international human rights organizations.