Experts urge Hong Kong AI laws on data and safety
SCMP · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong is moving toward more targeted regulation of artificial intelligence as experts, lawmakers and officials converge on the need for clearer rules on data governance, safety and liability. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said in his policy address that the government would study new legislation to tackle cyber-enabled crimes, while a Department of Justice-led working group would examine whether existing laws adequately address liability for accidents or damage caused by AI products. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok said the administration would first handle the most pressing issues, including minors’ access to AI platforms, criminal liability linked to deepfakes and responsibility for injuries caused by AI products. Together, the proposals point to a regulatory approach that combines legislation, soft-law guidance and education rather than relying on a single statute
Key Points
- John Lee Ka-chiu said the government would study new laws on cyber-enabled crime, with a Justice Department working group reviewing AI-related liability gaps
- Police have listed AI among Hong Kong’s five major cyber threats for 2026 after detecting scams and money-laundering setups using deepfakes and AI-generated materials
- Lawmaker Duncan Chiu said legislation should prioritize underlying data security because AI applications evolve too quickly for rules targeting each tool individually
- Chiu pointed to mainland China’s Data Security Law, which uses tiered protection and classifies data as core, important or general
- Paul Lam Ting-kwok said Hong Kong would address minors’ AI use, deepfake-related criminal responsibility and AI product injury liability through law, soft law and education
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong, the immediate issue is not only how to encourage AI adoption, but how to define responsibility when systems are misused or cause harm. Clearer rules on data handling, platform access and liability could give businesses, schools, courts and the public more confidence in using AI while reducing room for fraud and legal uncertainty.