The Hong Kong police force and Interpol have successfully removed more than 50,000 malicious websites through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, demonstrating a significant step in combating online threats. According to the figures provided by the Police Force's Cyber Security and Technology Crime Investigation Department, the number of technology-related criminal cases recorded in the first nine months of the year was 21,573, with a loss of approximately HK$3.897 billion, marking a 11.5% decrease in numbers and a 15.1% reduction in losses compared to the same period last year. Of these cases, 80% pertained to internet scams. The department's Senior Executive Officer, Lin Kuo-ho, highlighted the growing importance of AI in crime, noting that while there has been a reduction in overall numbers, the risks posed by AI to cybersecurity are significant. For instance, AI can now be used to conduct attacks or continuously scan for vulnerabilities around the clock, significantly reducing the barriers to entry for attackers. Lin explained that the 'Clean Net Operation' has been effective in identifying and neutralizing multiple instances of malicious infrastructure. During the operation, the police identified 2.9 million cases of online threats and 1.3 million specific threats aimed at Hong Kong, both of which witnessed a 19% and 32% rise from the previous year respectively. The strategy of using technology to combat technology, coupled with enhanced cross-border intelligence sharing, has helped to alleviate some of the external online threats. The operation also encountered significant threats, such as a large-scale scam in 2024 where a fraudster used deep fake technology to impersonate the head of finance from an overseas headquarters, leading to the loss of over HK$200 million. Lin Kuo-ho noted the importance of bolstering cybersecurity defenses, warning that companies must now consider the potential risks associated with any online system.