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Although Hong Kong officials reassured the public about information free flow, including access to platforms like Facebook or WhatsApp, a «Financial Times» report (behind paywall) previously suggested other ways of diverting internet traffic without actual bans such as built-in delays of even a few seconds when accessing specific apps – a phenomenon which behavioral psychologist claim can help kick addictive habits such as constant consumption of certain newsfeeds.

For some, the free flow of information can afford no delays whatsoever such as algorithm-based investment strategies or high-frequency traders, many of which rely sometimes on slight advantages in the microseconds.

«The fact is, free markets depend on the free flow of information. Information asymmetry is what causes markets to be less free,» said one local commodity trader to this publication. «With the size of Hong Kong’s market cap, the wealth of its residents and their passion for investing, it is critical to avoid information asymmetry. Or else, this could cause unforeseeable market risks.»

Coming Soon

For now, details have yet to be unveiled but onlookers are already pointing to worrying hints about the semi-autonomous city's outlook. Hong Kong’s chief executive Carrie Lam originally said that free speech would continue to exist «for the time being» in a social media post, before later reaffirming the right. 

«The free flow of information is essential to delivering effective research to investors. In the absence of verifiable information, sound investment decisions cannot be made,» said Robert Grieves, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, in a recent interview.

«Reliable, verifiable information, available to all, is as important to research independence as transparency is to financial markets and exchanges.»