YouTube blocks Hong Kong’s protest anthem

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In reaction to a court order, YouTube and its sister company, Google, will block audiences from watching videos of the song “Glory to Hong Kong. “

By Tiffany May

Report from Hong Kong

YouTube said on Tuesday it would comply with a court order banning Hong Kong users from watching an anthem of people’s democracy, raising concerns about freedom of expression and pointing to the tense environment for tech companies operating in the Chinese territory.

Last week, a Hong Kong court accepted a government request to ban the song “Glory to Hong Kong,” which lists 32 links to videos on YouTube. The judges said the song was a “weapon” that could be used to undermine national security.

The court said the injunction was “necessary to persuade” tech corporations to “remove” the songs from their platforms.

A YouTube representative said in a statement that the company would “continue to review” an appeal of the court’s decision, but would comply with the order.

“We are disappointed by the court’s decision, but we are complying with its takedown order by blocking indexed videos for Hong Kong viewers,” the representative said.

Like most tech companies, Google has a policy of restricting access to curtains that a court has deemed illegal in certain countries or locations.

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