Hong Kong authorities have denied reports that police can freely access phones.

The Hong Kong Security Bureau said that, under the national security law, a court order is required to obtain passwords for suspects’ computers and phones.

Officials added that some foreign media outlets are deliberately misleading the public by portraying these amendments as a way to increase pressure on dissent.

“We strongly condemn such one-sided and sensational reports, which attempt to create panic with exaggerated headlines and undermine Hong Kong’s efforts to safeguard national security,” a bureau spokesperson said.