Hong Kong border agents and police can demand device passwords, including from US citizens, under penalty of imprisonment — border controls become more invasive worldwide

Hong Kong border agents and police can now demand device passwords from travelers, including US citizens, under threat of imprisonment and fines. The law applies to all nationalities and allows for searches even for those transiting through Hong Kong. Failure to comply with decryption requests can lead to severe penalties, and the law extends to anyone authorized to access the device. This invasive trend in border controls is not unique to Hong Kong, as similar practices are seen in the US, Australia, and the UK, where refusal to unlock devices can result in detention and seizure.