Americans Traveling to Hong Kong Will
Now Face ARREST for Refusing to Hand Over
Phones, Laptops, and Passwords
Gateway Pundit,
by
Jim Hoft
Original Article
Posted By: ConservativeYankee,
4/6/2026 6:48:14 AM
IThe era of privacy is officially over in the “New Hong Kong,” and if you’re an American traveling abroad, you are now a target for the Communist-controlled regime. According to a recent warning issued by the U.S. Consulate, Americans entering or even transiting through Hong Kong could now face criminal charges simply for refusing to unlock their phones or provide passwords to authorities. Under newly updated enforcement rules tied to Hong Kong’s sweeping National Security Law, police now have the authority to demand access to personal electronic devices, including phones and laptops, on the spot. And here’s the catch: Refusing to comply is now a criminal offense
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Reply 1 - Posted by:
SALady 4/6/2026 6:56:34 AM (No. 2089356)
Hong Kong was never on my bucket list to start with. And I'm sure not adding it now!!!!
45 people like this.
Why not institute a complete travel ban? No tourists, no businessmen, nothing. All business by teleconference. They will come to heel I’m betting.
39 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
DVC 4/6/2026 7:24:20 AM (No. 2089369)
Well, I didn't want to go to Hong Kong anyway.
26 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
learner 4/6/2026 7:37:33 AM (No. 2089381)
We lived in Hong Kong from 2008-2010. It was a vibrant non stop city on the go. When the Brits handed it back to China in 1997 there was supposed to be a 50 year self determination by Hong Kong with hands off by Beijing. It was touted as 1 country 2 systems. That lasted about 13 years. It was pretty open politically when we arrived. When we left in 2010 the Chicoms were setting up front groups to run for office with names like the Peace and Democracy party. Just like good authoritarians everywhere who promise and promote one thing then when in power do the opposite. Looking at you Gov Spamburger and Democrats!
63 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
jntsrgn 4/6/2026 7:40:13 AM (No. 2089385)
So they demand your phone and your password. Then they demand the password to your crypto digital wallet. Then they drain your account. What are you gonna do about it, cry? Why would any American ever travel to or do business in Hong Kong again?
47 people like this.
I knew a professor who had to relinquish his passport when visiting Saudi Arabia for a lecture.
Some places are just not worth going to anymore.
28 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
felixcat 4/6/2026 8:43:39 AM (No. 2089426)
And yet we have Supreme Court justices who thinks it's a joke that this country should control who is or is not a citizen based on who the baby was born to. One extreme to the other.
50 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
JHHolliday 4/6/2026 8:51:05 AM (No. 2089430)
Per #6. I'll just stay home and travel around the US. At my age, I don't need the hassle of airports, unfriendly countries or whatever anymore.
32 people like this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
chicubby 4/6/2026 9:03:50 AM (No. 2089438)
We lived in Hong Kong in 1980. The British were still in control. It was a great place. We went back, for a visit, after the Chinese took over. What I saw happening broke my heart.
33 people like this.
Reply 10 - Posted by:
paral04 4/6/2026 9:33:29 AM (No. 2089455)
The simple solution to this is to stay away from these places.
25 people like this.
Reply 11 - Posted by:
bighambone 4/6/2026 10:23:50 AM (No. 2089483)
That’s the way it is at the US Borders and Ports of Entry if US Customs and Immigration Officers want to look at your phone and other devices.
3 people like this.
Reply 12 - Posted by:
DiegoDude 4/6/2026 10:27:13 AM (No. 2089489)
Whats next, a body cavity search to make sure I dont have a device shoved up my tailpipe?
8 people like this.
Reply 13 - Posted by:
zephyrgirl 4/6/2026 10:29:12 AM (No. 2089494)
Thankfully, I visited Hong Kong when it was still under British rule. My international traveling days are likely over - I've been to most other countries I wanted to visit. Vaccine passports, unrestricted migration from third world countries and European snootiness finished off my wanderlust urgings. From now on, I'll confine my excursions to the U.S.A.
17 people like this.
Reply 14 - Posted by:
ldb51 4/6/2026 10:43:57 AM (No. 2089503)
Coming to a blue state near you.
16 people like this.
Reply 15 - Posted by:
MickTurn 4/6/2026 10:58:45 AM (No. 2089518)
I went to Hong Kong on R&R from Viet Nam in Sept of 1969. It was really different as the city has 2 key areas. Kowloon on an Island and Hong Kong on the Main Land across a Harbor. I liked the city but some of the citizens were very rude, others were normal and kind.
6 people like this.
Reply 16 - Posted by:
oldmagnolia 4/6/2026 11:46:26 AM (No. 2089538)
Easy. Don't go.
11 people like this.
Reply 17 - Posted by:
JimBob 4/6/2026 12:19:28 PM (No. 2089558)
If you HAVE to go there, pick up a cheap 'flip 'phone' and leave your information-laden smart 'phone at home. Likewise if you HAVE to take a laptop, pick up a basic model, and have no more than the minimum programming and information on it.
But the best solution is to just not go there at all.
16 people like this.
Reply 18 - Posted by:
Dodge Boy 4/6/2026 1:26:19 PM (No. 2089597)
Fine. I have been to Hong Kong, Shanghai, and to Beijing. Nice trips. Despite the 24/7 surveillance on me. In retirement, there is no need to go back.
11 people like this.
Reply 19 - Posted by:
Griller1 4/6/2026 5:49:00 PM (No. 2089664)
This is just a little bit more restrictive of freedom as being forced by your government to take a shot that doesn't' improve your chances for a longer life.
9 people like this.
Reply 20 - Posted by:
chance_232 4/6/2026 6:14:09 PM (No. 2089666)
Get yourself a burner phone and a cheap stripped down laptop. With most software being cloud based, keep those passwords in your head or shoe.
If your going to China, assume that anything you do or see on your smart device will also be seen, recorded and reported to the CCP.
proceed accordingly..........
6 people like this.
Reply 21 - Posted by:
Rumblehog 4/6/2026 10:07:27 PM (No. 2089711)
Simple. Take a "Burner" phone with you instead. Have nothing on it or any other device you take, and reload them once you get back. Chances are the ChiComs are going to load your electronic devices with "bugs" to monitor you for the rest of your life anyway. I pity the American tourist who has to undergo any emergency medical procedure while over there. Who knows what you might come home with inside you. /s
4 people like this.
Reply 22 - Posted by:
Rumblehog 4/6/2026 10:13:36 PM (No. 2089713)
I went to Hong Kong and Macau on business before the Chinese took control and ruined it. I have to say that of all the places I've been around the world, Hong Kong was undoubtedly the most amazing to me. I love Singapore very much, along with their no-nonsense culture, but Hong Kong was simply amazing. Likewise to most on this thread, there's no chance of me every going back over there again. I still get to keep the memory.
8 people like this.
Reply 23 - Posted by:
5 handicap 4/7/2026 5:28:54 AM (No. 2089765)
I imagine there will be a gigantic downturn in business with Hong Kong, and rightly so!
5 people like this.
Reply 24 - Posted by:
mifla 4/7/2026 6:53:17 AM (No. 2089785)
One country, two systems. That did not last very long. No one is surprised, except for the Communists who were surprised that some folks were stupid enough to believe them.
6 people like this.
Reply 25 - Posted by:
Venturer 4/7/2026 7:06:02 AM (No. 2089791)
The Chinese setting up to run Hong Ko0ng is that any different than the Muslims setting up in America's Congress?
7 people like this.
Reply 26 - Posted by:
broken01 4/7/2026 7:29:30 AM (No. 2089808)
As a sailor in the greatest naval fighting force on the planet, I got to go to Hong Kong in the early 90s. That was back when the British were in control and I had fun. Being it was my first time there was an experience that I'll always cherish. That and Shanghai and Taiwan. Now I have zero desire to visit China. Heck if I wanted to go to another country where I'd have to keep my head on a swivel I could just go to Mexico. That is another country I'll never set foot in again.
7 people like this.
Reply 27 - Posted by:
janjan 4/7/2026 7:52:27 AM (No. 2089817)
Obviously tourists from the US just won’t go there anymore. That’s an easy solution. But there are a lot of business people from a lot of countries who also won’t go there anymore. Or start businesses there. They will pay a price for this that is a lot more than the CCP want to pay.
5 people like this.
Reply 28 - Posted by:
Msquared112 4/7/2026 8:47:47 AM (No. 2089851)
Where are the liberals complaining about China's oppressive and totalitarian king-like fascism?
5 people like this.
Easy…. I’m going to get through the rest of my life without going to Hong Kong (one of the great cities of the world when it was British) or the rest of Red China. More important, I boycott made in Red China goods whenever I can.
3 people like this.
Reply 30 - Posted by:
Dr. Constant 4/7/2026 9:44:15 AM (No. 2089875)
A misleading headline.
They only do this if you are accused of a crime. The US does basically the same thing .
The Gateway Pundit is a National Enquirer level publication.
As a PERMANENT RESIDENT OF HONG KONG I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. The headline, by making it seem to be a universa thing they're doing to everyone is lie. A really despicable lie.l
1 person likes this.
Reply 31 - Posted by:
Lucky5 4/7/2026 11:14:26 AM (No. 2089919)
I am glad I got a chance to see it 30 years ago. It was quite the sight. Never been anywhere else like it.
2 people like this.
Reply 32 - Posted by:
LC Chihuahua 4/7/2026 11:31:26 AM (No. 2089927)
All part of Hong Kong becoming part of China. This is how China operates. If you hear anyone gushing about how great China is, point to this. Kiss your rights and freedoms goodbye.
1 person likes this.
Reply 33 - Posted by:
earlybird 4/7/2026 12:06:25 PM (No. 2089937)
Article makes it very clear that this security warning came from the Amerian Consulate in Hong Kong.
https://hk.usconsulate.gov/security-alert-2026032601/
It begins with this paragraph and the rest is at the link.
"On March 23, 2026, the Hong Kong government changed the implementing rules relating to the National Security Law. It is now a criminal offense to refuse to give the Hong Kong police the passwords or decryption assistance to access all personal electronic devices including cellphones and laptops. This legal change applies to everyone, including U.S. citizens, in Hong Kong, arriving or just transiting Hong Kong International Airport. In addition, the Hong Kong government also has more authority to take and keep any personal devices, as evidence, that they claim are linked to national security offenses."
GP did NOT make this up.
4 people like this.
Reply 34 - Posted by:
Safari Man 4/7/2026 2:59:37 PM (No. 2090015)
I'd rather hang out with KING Kong.
2 people like this.
Reply 35 - Posted by:
RayLRiv 4/7/2026 10:05:48 PM (No. 2090185)
Hong Kong Phooey.
So much for doing business there
0 people like this.
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