Hong Kong Digital Office: No instructions to departments to stop using OpenClaw, but will monitor potential risks.

Recently, the open-source artificial intelligence platform OpenClaw has become very popular, sparking a craze for "raising crayfish" in mainland China. However, Chinese officials have warned of security risks. The Hong Kong Digital Office, responsible for AI policy, has stated that they have not instructed departments to stop using OpenClaw, but departments must conduct risk assessments and follow guidelines when installing the software, including the need for software, features, past records, security risks, and compliance with government security guidelines. According to media reports, the mainland Chinese government recently notified large banks, state-owned enterprises, and government departments to prohibit the installation of OpenClaw on office computers to reduce security risks. Companies or departments that have already installed the software are required to notify their superiors to conduct security checks and remove it. The Hong Kong Digital Office is also concerned about the potential risks of OpenClaw, including "excessive" permissions, data leaks, and system security. They recommend that organizations take sufficient security measures when using the application, including strict management of plug-in sources. The Digital Office also mentioned that it is unclear how many departments are currently using OpenClaw.