Demand for virtual private networks in Hong Kong surged more than six-fold May 21 as Beijing proposed tough new national security laws for the financial hub, reflecting concerns over internet privacy, according to a VPN provider.
Atlas VPN said installations of the tool that helps people bypass web restrictions surged again on May 22, up more than three-fold from the previous day, while search interest in the keyword term “VPN” rocketed 1,680 percent on May 21 from a day earlier.
Search interest in the word “VPN” hit a record high on May 22, it added, citing data from Google Trends.
Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 and is governed under a “one country, two systems” formula that guarantees it a high degree of autonomy not seen in mainland China, including freedom of expression.
The former British colony also enjoys unrestricted internet access, unlike on the mainland where the likes of Google, Facebook and Twitter are blocked.
Beijing’s plans to directly enact national security legislation sent a chill through financial markets and drew a swift rebuke from foreign governments, international human rights and privacy groups, who fear it could lead to increased surveillance and censorship.
Hong Kong police said they arrested more than 180 people on May 24, when authorities fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse anti-government protests over the planned security legislation.
“If Hong Kong falls under the same digital restrictions as Chinese citizens in the near future, then we can expect an even higher interest in VPN services,” said aid Rachel Welsh, Chief Operating Officer of Atlas VPN.
The security legislation aims to tackle secession, subversion and terrorist activities and could see Chinese intelligence agencies set up bases in Hong Kong, one of the world’s leading financial hubs.
