YouTube Blocks Account of Hong Kong's Sole Leadership Candidate – Voice of America

Google-owned YouTube blocked the campaign account of Hong Kong’s only leadership candidate, John Lee, on Wednesday, citing U.S. sanctions against the former No. 2 official. Lee was among a group of 11 top Hong Kong and Chinese government officials sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury, including current Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, for curtailing political freedoms under Beijing’s national security law that was imposed in June of 2020. Lee had set up Facebook and YouTube accounts for his campaign in preparation for elections on May 8 even though he is running uncontested in the vote to replace Lam, who is not seeking another term. “Google complies with applicable U.S. sanctions laws and enforces related policies under its Terms of Service. After review and consistent with these policies, we terminated the Johnlee2022 YouTube channel,” the company said in an email regarding the use of its streaming platform. Separately, Facebook owner Meta said it has to observe U.S. law and prevent the former police officer and security secretary from using its payment services, but that it would allow him to keep his “demonetized presence” on Facebook and Instagram. “If we identify accounts maintained by or on behalf of people on the U.S.…
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