Vietnam Introduces Strict Social Media Regulations Requiring User Authentication and Content Control

Vietnam has unveiled sweeping new regulations aimed at tightening control over social media platforms and strengthening data management measures, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to digital governance. This move follows several years of increasing government oversight of online spaces in Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing digital economy.

Under the newly introduced Decree No. 147/2024/ND-CP, social media platforms operating in Vietnam must implement strict user authentication processes through phone numbers or official identification cards. This requirement applies to all users who wish to post content, comment, or conduct livestreams on these platforms. The authentication measures mirror similar regulations implemented in China and represent a growing trend of digital identity verification requirements across Asia.

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyễn Mạnh Hùng emphasized the platforms’ responsibility in content management, stating, “They have their own space, their own hundreds of millions to billions of subscribers, so they must be responsible for scanning, detecting and automatically removing toxic information.”

The regulations particularly impact foreign social media platforms with monthly traffic exceeding 100,000 visits. These platforms must now verify user accounts, maintain databases of user information including full names, birth dates, and phone numbers, and provide this data to authorities when requested. Additionally, they are required to submit annual reports on their Vietnamese operations and remove illegal content within 24 hours of official notification.

Platforms failing to comply face substantial penalties, including mandatory account disablement for repeat offenders. The decree requires platforms to remove over 90 percent of content that violates Vietnamese laws upon receiving requests from management agencies. This represents one of the most stringent content moderation requirements in Southeast Asia, surpassing similar regulations in neighboring countries.

The new regulations extend beyond social media to encompass the gaming industry, reflecting Vietnam’s comprehensive approach to digital regulation. Gaming providers must implement systems to monitor and limit playtime for users under 18, restricting them to 60 minutes per session and a maximum of 180 minutes across all games. These restrictions align with similar measures adopted in South Korea and China to combat gaming addiction among youth.

Addressing cybersecurity concerns, the Ministry has also mandated new measures to combat phone scams, a growing problem that cost Vietnamese citizens an estimated millions of dollars in 2023. Network providers must develop technology to display government agency names on phone screens during official calls, helping citizens identify legitimate government communications.

Nguyễn Minh Tâm, Chairwoman of the Quảng Bình Women’s Union, highlighted the strategic importance of developing domestic social networks, noting, “Without a digital ecosystem and Vietnamese social networks, there would be no negotiating power with Google and Facebook.” This push for domestic alternatives mirrors successful efforts in other Asian markets where local platforms like Line, WeChat, and Zalo have gained significant market share.

Source: Vietnam News

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November 13, 2024 – by Ali Nassar-Smith