Spotify says distributor removed ‘Glory to Hong Kong’ from platform, as gov’t seeks to ban all forms of protest song
Hong Kong Free Press
Pro-democracy protest anthem Glory to Hong Kong was removed from Spotify by the distributor, the streaming platform told HKFP, as the government seeks to ban all forms of the song and its derivatives.
The song – associated with the 2019 protests and unrest – dominated the Apple iTunes charts last week after the government sought legal injunctions to ban “unlawful acts” relating to the song, its melody, lyrics and all derivations.
The uploader, Dgx Music, said on Facebook on Wednesday that they were experiencing technical problems: “[We] are currently handling some technical issues that are irrelevant to the streaming platforms, sorry for the temporary effect. Thank you to each of our audiences.”
On Wednesday, it disappeared from the Apple Music platform and Spotify, whilst Reuters reported that versions on Facebook and Instagram also vanished. Different variations of Glory to Hong Kong still exist on Google’s YouTube and Soundcloud. But a Spotify spokesperson, who requested not to be named or directly quoted, told HKFP on Thursday that it was the artist – not the platform – that removed the song.
On Monday last week, the government submitted a writ seeking to ban the “broadcasting, performing, printing, publishing, selling, offering for sale, distributing, disseminating, displaying or reproducing [Glory to Hong Kong],” including on the internet, with a secessionist or seditious intent, or with intent to violate the national anthem law. Anyone who assists others to commit such acts relating to the song would also be criminally liable.
The Department of Justice’s legal bid for an injunction and interim injunction came days after a busker, known for performing the song, was cleared of wrongdoing.
On Monday, the Court of First Instance adjourned the injunction hearing until July 21, as the authorities appealed for anyone with an objection to come forward.
Though banned in schools, the government has previously refused to say if the song is illegal.
Anthem mix-ups
The months-long anthem saga began last November, when the protest song was heard at a Rugby Sevens game in South Korea after an intern reportedly downloaded it from the internet.
Similar mix-ups occurred at international sporting finals, including at a prizegiving ceremony of a weightlifting championship in Dubai and most recently at a February ice hockey game in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A data scientist told HKFP this week it was too early to tell if a total ban would lead to Google, or other tech firms, withdrawing their services from the city.
In June 2020, Beijing inserted national security legislation directly into Hong Kong’s mini-constitution – bypassing the local legislature – following a year of pro-democracy protests and unrest. It criminalised subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces and terrorist acts, which were broadly defined to include disruption to transport and other infrastructure. The move gave police sweeping new powers, alarming democrats, civil society groups and trade partners, as such laws have been used broadly to silence and punish dissidents in China. However, the authorities say it has restored stability and peace to the city.
Hong Kong’s national anthem is China’s March of the Volunteers.
Facebook’s parent company Meta, Google, Apple, Soundcloud and other streaming platforms did not respond to HKFP’s request for comment. Twitter responded to enquiries with a “poop” emoji.
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