US Warns Travelers That Hong Kong Police Can Demand Phone, Laptop Passwords

Local authorities can also ’take and keep any personal devices, as evidence, that they claim are linked to national security offenses,' U.S. officials said.

A man passes a government notice for the National Security Law in Hong Kong on July 15, 2020. Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. government has issued a new “security alert” for American citizens traveling to Hong Kong, saying that the nation’s tightened security rules could also impact foreign visitors.

Hong Kong police have been granted new authority to request phone or computer passwords from individuals they suspect of breaching the 2020 National Security Law.