Major firms – including Deloitte and KPMG – turn to using burner phones while in Hong Kong

Amid Beijing's increased control over Hong Kong, major audit and consulting firms, including Deloitte and KPMG, are advising staff to use burner phones when visiting the international financial hub. This precaution, mirroring practices in mainland China, reflects rising concerns about data security and hacking risks. Some executives express reluctance to visit, citing inconvenience. While not all firms enforce such measures, the move contradicts Hong Kong's efforts to project itself as a global financial centre, raising questions about the impact on international business in the city.

Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here.

Deloitte and KPMG ask staff to use burner phones for Hong Kong trips

By Kaye Wiggins in Hong Kong, Leo Lewis in Tokyo and Joe Leahy in Beijing

Policies come as Beijing increases control over international financial hub

Some of the world's biggest audit and consulting firms are asking staff to use burner phones when they visit Hong Kong, a sign of the increasing difficulties global companies are facing in a city long known as an international business hub.

___STEADY_PAYWALL___