US State Dept warning on travel to or transiting Hong Kong

[RooFlyer]

From View from the Wing:

Even If You’re Just Transiting Hong Kong, Refusing To Unlock Your Devices Is Now A Crime

Even if you’re just transiting Hong Kong airport, as of this week it’s now a crime not to give authorities passwords and other assistance to access your devices. The U.S. Department of State has issued a warning. I would beware travel on Cathay Pacific, even to destinations beyond Hong Kong.

* “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…”

etc.

 

[SYD]

From View from the Wing:

Even If You’re Just Transiting Hong Kong, Refusing To Unlock Your Devices Is Now A Crime



etc.

Ironically, the US can and will ask you to unlock your phone if they have reason to do so.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/cbp-search-authority/border-search-electronic-devices

In reality, the probability for the average Joe is close to zero - both USA and HKG.

 

[Happy Trails]

Similar to the UK.
Three months for refusing to comply.

 

[clifford]

In reality, the probability for the average Joe is close to zero - both USA and HKG.

I would think the probability in the US is much higher. Transiting HKG (as I often do) causes me no anxiety at all.

 

[SYD]

I would think the probability in the US is much higher. Transiting HKG (as I often do) causes me no anxiety at all.

Concur with HKG - we had about 8 transits in the last 12mths.

Similarly, zero issues entering the US. The MPC has made them even less painful.

Much of these reports are a total beat up.

 

[RooFlyer]

Concur with HKG - we had about 8 transits in the last 12mths.

Similarly, zero issues entering the US. The MPC has made them even less painful.

Much of these reports are a total beat up.

Well, as the saying goes, everything's fine, until its not. Millions can go back and forth without issue - but you wouldn't want to be the one arrested or detained in China for any reason and these new laws give the authorities much more scope to cause a problem for travellers. Its worth being alerted to.

 

[SYD]

Well, as the saying goes, everything's fine, until its not. Millions can go back and forth without issue - but you wouldn't want to be the one arrested or detained in China for any reason and these new laws give the authorities much more scope to cause a problem for travellers. Its worth being alerted to.

Again, there are many countries with seemingly Draconian laws that many are oblivious too or just choose to ignore eg chewing gum in Singapore (who’s ever had their bag searched?), bonking someone you’re not married to while in Indonesia, being disrespectful to the Thai monarchy, etc etc).

The reality is a VERY small percentage of peeps fall foul. Those that do, well there’s always a “Go Fund Me” page.

 

[jrfsp]

Ironically, the US can and will ask you to unlock your phone if they have reason to do so.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/cbp-search-authority/border-search-electronic-devices

In reality, the probability for the average Joe is close to zero - both USA and HKG.

Last time I arrived into DFW one agent was asking his entire line to unlock their phones, none of the other agents were asking ….

 

[SYD]

Last time I arrived into DFW one agent was asking his entire line to unlock their phones, none of the other agents were asking ….

But did he look at them?

If you’re using MPC, your phone has to be unlocked anyway to show the QR code.

 

[jrfsp]

But did he look at them?

If you’re using MPC, your phone has to be unlocked anyway to show the QR code.

Yep was going through them asking about people photos

 

[RooFlyer]

Again, there are many countries with seemingly Draconian laws that many are oblivious too or just choose to ignore eg chewing gum in Singapore (who’s ever had their bag searched?), bonking someone you’re not married to while in Indonesia, being disrespectful to the Thai monarchy, etc etc).

Sure, but I'd take them over China any day.

 

[transpactraveller]

Last time I arrived into DFW one agent was asking his entire line to unlock their phones, none of the other agents were asking ….

Was that line all talking about their dislike of the current US President or something that may have got the agent's attention?

I travel to the US several times a year for many years, and I've never once been asked to hand over my phone, and never noticed anyone else being asked to. It would make an already slow process incredibly slow if they wasted time looking through everyone's phones.

 

[jrfsp]

Was that line all talking about their dislike of the current US President or something that may have got the agent's attention?

I travel to the US several times a year for many years, and I've never once been asked to hand over my phone, and never noticed anyone else being asked to. It would make an already slow process incredibly slow if they wasted time looking through everyone's phones.

People choose what line they go in, I was in that line originally but it was slow moving because of what was happening I moved to another line, I saw 3 people in a row in that same line get asked to unlocked their phone, no other agent was doing it. It didn’t seem targeted.

 

[LondonAussie]

Doesn’t Australia have the same laws though?

I work in London for a UK company and Australia is on our list of “high risk” travel countries where border authorities can force anyone to handover and unlock their devices for searching.

 

[offshore171]

This one kind of slipped under the radar, but a week ago the HK govt made it a criminal offence to refuse to give passwords and/or decryption keys to your personal devices. It includes transit passengers.

Business travellers with confidential client data on laptops/phones etc would be highly conflicted. You cannot breach client confidentiality, but at the same time HK will jail you if you don't unlock your laptop.


US consulate (and likely others) have published travel advisories. For example:

Technical Difficulties

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.

Hong Kong police can demand phone and computer passwords under amended national security law

Refusing to comply could lead to year in jail and hefty fine, while providing false information carries up to three years in prison

www.theguardian.com

 

[Pushka]

As if I can ever remember my passwords anyway

 

[aspro2]

The key point that most comments overlook is that this explicitly applies to transit passengers too. In general, transit passengers in most places (ie, places competent enough to have sterile airside facilities) have no contact with any authority other than having bags/body scanned for flight security. or the occasional customs/drug-enforcement spot check. It is naïve to treat anything related to China as "like everywhere else". You do not want to come in contact with the Chinese security apparatus.

 

[Happy Dude]

Yep was going through them asking about people photos

This sounds like a comedy show skit about finding out if someone is single. Nosey Parker would not find much of interest to interrogate on my phone. Most pics in my phone are of things with small print I couldn't read.

 

[chitown_boy]

Hong Kong is even easier than Singapore to enter, IME. I was born in HK and whenever I enter with my Aussie passport they’re rather bemused because my HKID is still the old unrenewed one that doesn’t open the gates, so they just wave me through after pretending to just look at my passport lol

 

[kpc]

For all the China haters out there, Australian customs, immigration also can also inspect your phone not to mention the good old USA and many other countries. If you have something to hide, bring a burner phone for your OS trips!