YouTube blocked the access of users to videos of Hong Kong's popular protest song, days after an injunction to ban the song was approved by the court in the city.

YouTube blocked the access of users to videos of Hong Kong's popular protest song, days after an injunction to ban the song was approved by the court in the city. “Glory to Hong Kong” had emerged as the anthem song of the anti-government protests held in 2019. YouTube said that the company would comply with the removal order and access to more than 32 YouTube videos of the song would be blocked after the song was deemed to be “prohibited publications” under the injunction. Any attempts made by users to get access to YouTube videos from Hong Kong on Wednesday (May 15) stated that they were unavailable. A message appeared instead of the video, saying “This content is not available on this country domain due to a court order.” Also Read: Hong Kong appeals court backs ban on protest anthem 'Glory to Hong Kong' The court, while approving the application of the government to ban the song, agreed that it can be “weaponised” and used for inciting secession. How did YouTube react to the ban by the court? In an emailed statement, YouTube, which is owned by Alphabet Inc., said, “We are disappointed by the court’s decision but are complying with its removal order by blocking access to the listed videos for viewers in Hong Kong." “We’ll continue to consider our options for an appeal, to promote access to information,” the company stated, further adding that the concerns of human rights organisations regarding the ban's chilling effect on free expression online were shared by them. As per YouTube, the links to the 32 videos on YouTube will also now not appear on Google Search for users in Hong Kong. Co-chair of digital practice at Washington-headquartered business and policy consultancy Asia Group George Chen said that it is worth watching how Hong Kong authorities have been aggressively asking internet platforms to remove the song. Watch: UK charges three with working for Hong Kong Intelligence | Crackdown on foreign spies Chen, who was Greater China's former head of public policy at Meta, said that if the government starts asking social media platforms to remove hundreds of links every day, it will undermine the confidence of investors in Hong Kong. “That will hurt Hong Kong’s reputation as a leading financial centre because we know how important a free flow of data and information means to a financial centre,” Chen said. “So the government should be very careful and be aware of some unintended consequences that may impact its economic recovery and investors’ confidence," he added. Social media platforms, like YouTube, generally have policies for the removal of content on requests from governments. The demonstrators generally sang “Glory to Hong Kong” during massive anti-government protests in 2019. Later, the song was played mistakenly as the anthem of the city at international sporting events in place of China’s “March of the Volunteers,” which upset city officials. (With inputs from agencies)

YouTube blocks Hong Kong’s protest song after court orders to ban it in city

Watch today in WION Dispatch: Protests occurred between the police & anti-government protesters in Hong Kong. Protesters demanded the Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam's resignation.

WION Dispatch: Protests occur between police & anti-government protesters in Hong Kong

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YouTube blocks Hong Kong’s protest song after court orders to ban it in city

WION Dispatch: Protests occur between police & anti-government protesters in Hong Kong