Google is currently facing significant backlash in Hong Kong as local authorities attempt to censor a popular pro-democracy song. This incident has sparked speculation that Google may choose to exit the market completely. The Hong Kong Department of Justice is seeking a court order to ban internet companies, including Google, from broadcasting or distributing the protest song called “Glory to Hong Kong.” Additionally, they are requesting the removal of 32 YouTube videos featuring the anthem. This move by the Hong Kong government is seen as one of the most aggressive attempts to censor political content on US-run tech platforms in Hong Kong. It is reminiscent of the events that led Google to withdraw its search engine from mainland China in 2010. Some experts, such as Xiaomeng Lu, director of the geotechnology practice at consulting firm Eurasia Group, believe that a full retreat by Google from Hong Kong is highly likely. Lu stated that this episode follows a similar pattern and believes it may happen within a few months to a few years, rather than taking several years. The High Court of Hong Kong has scheduled a hearing on July 21 to consider the government’s request for a restraining order. If granted, it could weaken Google’s position in Hong Kong, where pro-Beijing officials have already criticized the company for featuring “Glory to Hong Kong” prominently in its search results.
A restraining order could also have wider implications for other US tech companies regarding their content policies, potentially leading to more legal actions. The local authorities argue that the lyrics of the protest song promote “secession.” Hong Kong officials have been embarrassed by incidents at international sporting events where the song was mistakenly played instead of China’s national anthem. They blame Google for this and demand that the company bury the song in its search results. However, Google responded by stating that it does not manually control search results and does not remove web results unless it has specific reasons outlined in its global policy documentation.
Some experts believe that it would be strategically unwise for Google to abandon Hong Kong as it is a valuable market in Asia. Niki Christoff, a tech policy consultant and former Google employee, argues that Google cannot afford to exit the Chinese market for business purposes. She believes that doing so would result in losing access to a large consumer market and would negatively impact its Android operating system, Google Play Store, and YouTube. Generally, Google and other tech companies comply with local laws, even if they contradict US doctrines. For example, Google has taken down YouTube videos critical of the Thai monarchy in the past.
Google has not made its intentions clear regarding how it will respond to the situation publicly. When asked for comment, a Google spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to making information accessible to users but did not address the pending court battle in Hong Kong. Kathy Lee, managing director for Greater China at Google Cloud, recently stated that the company is committed to its operations in Hong Kong and is working with local regulators. It is likely that Google CEO Sundar Pichai and the board of directors are actively working to find a solution, weighing the importance of the market against the pressures of an authoritarian government and the impact on freedom of speech.
Google is not the only Western company facing censorship pressure in Hong Kong. Apple’s iTunes chart reportedly removed popular versions of “Glory to Hong Kong,” and the song also became inaccessible on Facebook and Instagram. It was briefly removed from Spotify but later reappeared. There are already signs of Google’s growing hesitation to operate in Hong Kong due to concerns about violating the region’s national security law. The Wall Street Journal reported that Google and other US tech giants have begun restricting access to their AI chatbot services in Hong Kong. In 2021, the Asia Internet Coalition, which represents Google, Twitter, Meta, and other US firms, warned the Hong Kong government that these companies may choose to exit due to a controversial “anti-doxxing” law. Despite the warning, the law was passed, and currently, Google, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are still available in Hong Kong.
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