YouTube to block 'Glory to Hong Kong' videos after court order

YouTube will comply with Hong Kong's court decision and block access to video links related to a protest anthem in the city.

The Tuesday announcement came after the Court of Appeal granted an interim injunction to stop a range of acts including broadcasting and performing "Glory to Hong Kong" - a song that emerged as a protest anthem during the 2019 demonstrations, with criminal intent.

The appeal judge Jeremy Poon Shiu-chor wrote in a judgment that the composer of the song had "intended it to be a 'weapon' and so it had become." He warned that dissidents seeking to incite secession could weaponize the song for use against the state.

"We are disappointed by the Court's decision but are complying with its removal order," YouTube said in a statement after it blocked access to 32 video links deemed protest anthem in Hong Kong.

The video-sharing giant noted that it shared human rights groups' concerns that the content ban could chill free expression online, and will consider the options for an appeal to promote access to information. 

YouTube said the geoblocking of videos would take effect immediately for viewers in Hong Kong, and the links to the videos will no longer show up on Google Search in the city eventually.

Industry groups, including the Asia Internet Coalition, which represents big tech firms like Meta, Apple and Google, have said keeping a free and open internet in Hong Kong is "fundamental" to maintaining the city's edge.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman has said that stopping the song's spread was necessary for Hong Kong to safeguard national security.