HONG KONG, May 8 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's appeal court on

Wednesday granted an application by the government to ban a

protest anthem named "Glory to Hong Kong", overturning a lower

court judgement last year that had rejected the government's bid

citing free speech concerns.

The ruling comes amid what critics say is an erosion in Hong

Kong's rule of law and individual rights amid a sweeping

national security crackdown by China's Communist Party leaders.

The case has implications for internet freedoms and the

operations of firms including internet service providers and

technology firms such as Google.