Content rules
What can play on AdBarge.
AdBarge is a public screen in the middle of Victoria Harbour, seen by families, tourists and both shores of Hong Kong at once. Every file is screened against Hong Kong law and advertising standards before it goes live.
Important: please read before you book
- Videos and content that break the laws of the Hong Kong SAR, including the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, or Hong Kong advertising and broadcasting standards, cannot be loaded.
- All videos and content are screened and approved by AdBarge before they are released live on the screen. Unapproved files do not play.
- AdBarge reserves the right to stop and drop an entire feed at any time, even when the time slot is paid for, if content is or appears to be unlawful, unapproved, or the subject of an official instruction or complaint.
- If a feed is stopped because of the advertiser's content, the paid time slot is not refunded. Make sure your content has been checked and passes Hong Kong law before you send it.
Green · 85 to 100
Good to go to final review.
Orange · 50 to 84
Debatable, carries risk. Needs changes, proof or a licence first.
Red · below 50 or any hard stop
No go. Cannot be loaded.
Free video check
Drop in the video you plan to play. In about a minute you get a short summary of what it shows and a green, orange or red rating. The picture check runs in your browser, and we keep only 6 still frames and the result as a record.
Checking your video…
What we check: what the video shows, strobe and flashing, blinking red, green or blue lights that look like ship, police or emergency signals, very fast cuts, glare, picture size and shape, length and file size.
What our reviewers look forA short checklist to read before you make your video
The rules we screen against15 rules with the Hong Kong law behind each one
| Area | Rule on AdBarge | Hong Kong law or code |
|---|---|---|
| National security | Nothing that could incite, promote, glorify or sympathise with acts endangering national security, or stir hatred or contempt of the Central or HKSAR Government. | Hong Kong National Security Law; Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, s.24 |
| Flags and emblems | No national flag or emblem, and no Hong Kong regional flag or emblem, or their designs, in any advertisement. | Protocol Division: prohibited uses |
| Decency | Family audience only: no obscene or indecent material, including violent, depraved or repulsive content. Category III film ads need prior approval. | Cap. 390; Film Censorship Ordinance, Cap. 392 |
| Tobacco and vapes | No tobacco advertising. No promotion of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco or herbal cigarettes. | Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance, Cap. 371 |
| Medical claims | No ads likely to lead to the use of medicine or treatment for listed diseases and conditions. | Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance, Cap. 231 |
| Investments and crypto | Invitations to the public to invest need SFC authorisation or an exemption. Virtual assets: SFC-licensed platforms only. | Securities and Futures Ordinance, s.103 |
| Gambling | No ads promoting bookmaking or offshore betting. Lucky draws and lotteries need the right licence. | Gambling Ordinance, Cap. 148 |
| Safe light on the water | No light effects that could interfere with the safe operation of vessels or aircraft: no mimicking navigation, police or emergency signals, no strobe. | Shipping and Port Control Regulations; Charter on External Lighting |
| Honest claims | No false or misleading claims, hidden conditions or bait offers. "No. 1", "best" and price claims need proof. | Trade Descriptions Ordinance, Cap. 362 |
| Loans | Money lender ads must show the licence number, complaints hotline and the required risk warning. | Money Lenders Licence, Condition 9 |
| Alcohol | Brand-led only. No appeal to under-18s, no excessive drinking. | CA TV Advertising Code (benchmark) |
| Formula milk | No promotion of formula milk for children under 36 months. | Hong Kong Code of Marketing of Formula Milk |
| Politics and elections | AdBarge does not carry political advertising. Election ads follow EAC guidelines and need written consents. | EAC election advertisement guidelines |
| Religion, race and taste | Nothing offensive to religious beliefs, races or sections of the community, and no knocking of competitors. | Transport Department ad criteria (benchmark) |
| Rights and consent | You must hold the rights to all music, footage, fonts and logos, and the consent of people shown. Proof on request. | Copyright Ordinance, Cap. 528; PPSEAL |
How screening works
- Video checkRun the free video check above and fix anything orange or red.
- Send the final fileAt least 7 working days before your first air date, with any licences or proof of claims.
- AdBarge reviewOur team scores every file green, orange or red. Orange files come back with the changes needed.
- Approved and lockedOnly the approved file plays. Any change, even one word, is screened again.
- Live monitoringWe watch every feed and can stop it at once if needed.
This page is a practical guide to the standards AdBarge applies. It is not legal advice; advertisers remain responsible for their own content.