Vietnam’s government plans to introduce new regulations requiring social media users to verify their identities to combat online scams, including romance scams and voice phishing, which are prevalent in the country. According to AFP, Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Nguyen Huy Dung, stated that “there are many cases where users of foreign platforms violate laws and cannot be traced.” As a result, the government plans to introduce new regulations to prevent online scams and track down perpetrators.
Currently, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok do not require local users to verify their identities. Critics argue that the new regulation aims to control social media activity by anti-government activists. The Communist Party of Vietnam has been strict on controlling dissenting voices, despite the country’s economic development.
In 2019, Vietnam enacted a cybersecurity law that prohibited the organization and propaganda of anti-state groups. Last year, the government issued guidelines for social media platforms, and large IT companies like Google and Facebook were required to store user data for at least two years and establish a local office.
Recently, TikTok was investigated for distributing harmful content. The government’s efforts to combat online crime have sparked concerns about privacy and freedom of expression. Despite this, the government believes that verifying social media user identities is necessary to prevent online crime and protect citizens’ interests.