> According to sources, developers of the fake LeaveHomeSafe app have received a letter from software development platform GitLab, which requested them to shelve the fake app in accordance to police order.
It was understood that police in the letter accused the fake app of forgery under the Crime Ordinance.
The fake app cannot be found on GitLab now. Yet the public can still access the app in web page format on other sites.
LeaveHomeSafe is an app developed by the Hong Kong government to "track COVID cases". Citizens are now required by law to scan the QR code in government offices and wet markets, and record where they have been. It's rumoured that later this requirement will extend to restaurants.
Failure to do so will get you fined, or arrested in the worst case.
In this case, GitLab has acted upon the Hong Kong Police's request to remove the app.
They really buried the lede: GitLab forcibly took down a software repository just because the Chinese police asked them to, even though it didn't break any US laws.
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[ 4.3 ms ] story [ 16.5 ms ] threadIt was understood that police in the letter accused the fake app of forgery under the Crime Ordinance.
The fake app cannot be found on GitLab now. Yet the public can still access the app in web page format on other sites.
LeaveHomeSafe is an app developed by the Hong Kong government to "track COVID cases". Citizens are now required by law to scan the QR code in government offices and wet markets, and record where they have been. It's rumoured that later this requirement will extend to restaurants.
Failure to do so will get you fined, or arrested in the worst case.
In this case, GitLab has acted upon the Hong Kong Police's request to remove the app.