國安法與科技中立之爭――香港數位權利的未來挑戰

National Security Law and Technology Neutrality: The Future Challenges of Digital Rights in Hong Kong

自《港區國安法》通過以來，香港的公民社會和數位權利經歷了劇烈的變化。該法律不僅在現實中限制了公民的表達，還對數位空間中的言論自由帶來了前所未有的挑戰。煽動罪的定義被擴大，導致許多市民和活動人士因和平言論而遭逮捕、起訴和監禁，促使公民自我審查。
隨著第二十三條立法的推進，數位監控與限制將進一步加劇，資訊自由流通更加困難，公民在網絡上表達意見的恐懼感增強。本文通過探討煽動罪在網絡中的應用、網絡服務供應商的困境和網站封鎖案例，分析香港數位權利的侵害情況。
文章指出，《國安法》和《刑事罪行條例》對煽動罪的擴展與技術中立性原則產生衝突。例如，分享超連結的行為被視為煽動，違反了技術中立性，削弱了言論自由。案例如王浩鏘案和許佩怡案顯示，網絡用戶和平台管理者可能因用戶生成內容而被追究法律責任。
此外，政府對網絡供應商施加更多監管義務，要求其封鎖被視為威脅國家安全的內容，進一步違反技術中立性，削弱了網絡言論自由。立場新聞案的判決降低了煽動罪的定罪門檻，增加了網絡服務供應商的法律風險。
《維護國家安全條例》的通過擴大了政府對言論的控制，適用範圍涵蓋全球，對香港異議人士和跨國科技平台帶來更大限制。條例中模糊的定義使市民和企業難以判斷哪些行為可能觸法，加劇了自我審查和寒蟬效應。

The passage of the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) has led to significant erosion of digital rights and civil liberties in Hong Kong. These laws have not only expanded the definition of incitement, resulting in the prosecution of individuals for peaceful online speech, but have also driven widespread self-censorship among citizens.
With the advancement of Article 23 legislation, digital surveillance and restrictions are expected to intensify, further hindering the free flow of information and amplifying citizens’apprehension of expressing opinions online. This article analyzes the erosion of digital rights in Hong Kong by examining the application of sedition charges online, the dilemmas faced by internet service providers (ISPs), and cases of website blocking.
The article highlights that the expansion of sedition under the National Security Law (NSL) and the Crimes Ordinance conflicts with the principle of technological neutrality. For instance, the act of sharing hyperlinks is considered seditious, violating technological neutrality and thereby undermining freedom of expression. Cases such as those of Ho-cheong Wong and Pui-yee Hui demonstrate that both users and platform administrators may face legal liability for user-generated content.
In addition, the government has imposed heightened regulatory obligations on ISPs, requiring them to block content deemed a threat to national security. This further infringes on technological neutrality and weakens freedom of expression online. The ruling in the Stand News case has lowered the threshold for sedition convictions, thereby increasing the legal risks for ISPs.
The enactment of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) has extended governmental control over expression, with its scope now covering a global audience, thereby imposing greater restrictions on Hong Kong dissidents and multinational technology platforms. The vague definitions within the ordinance make it difficult for citizens and businesses to judge what actions may violate the law, intensifying self-censorship and the chilling effect on expression.