Microsoft, Zoom Join Pause On Hong Kong Data Request

Microsoft and Zoom said overnight on Tuesday that they have joined other major internet firms that have stopped considering requests by Hong Kong's government for information on users in the wake of the imposition of a sweeping new security law.

Microsoft and Zoom said they are pausing consideration of data requests by officials or police in Hong Kong, a precaution also taken by Facebook, Google and Twitter.

"As we would with any new legislation, we are reviewing the new law to understand its implications," Microsoft said.

"In the past, we've typically received only a relatively small number of requests from Hong Kong authorities, but we are pausing our responses to these requests as we conduct our review."

Zoom a video-conferencing platform that has boom during the pandemic, said it is monitoring developments in Hong Kong and looking for guidance from the US government.

"Zoom supports the free and open exchange of thoughts and ideas," the company said.

"We have paused processing any data requests from, and related to, Hong Kong SAR."

The pause at leading online social network Facebook and its popular messaging service WhatsApp will remain in place "pending further assessment" of the new national security law, and include "formal human rights due diligence and consultations with human rights experts," according to the Silicon Valley giant.

Twitter and Google had said that they too would not comply with information requests by Hong Kong authorities in the immediate future. (AFP)