Vietnam’s enforcement of new internet regulations this week compels social media platforms to verify user identities and share data with governmental authorities. This regulatory change is encapsulated in Decree No. 147/2024 and has provoked a wave of criticism from activists and human rights organizations, who assert it poses a significant threat to freedom of expression.
Under Decree 147, technology companies operating within Vietnam’s borders must verify user accounts using local phone numbers or identification numbers. They are required to store comprehensive user information, including full names and birth dates. Crucially, these companies must also provide this data to authorities upon request and comply with the removal of any content deemed “illegal” within 24 hours. Critics argue this setup is primarily poised to suppress dissent and limit political dialogue online, as articulated in a recent analysis.
Additionally, the decree mandates reporting on user engagement metrics, such as the number of regular Vietnamese users, enhancing governmental scrutiny over digital communications. This development marks a significant pivot from the decade-old Decree No. 72/2013/ND-CP, broadening compliance obligations for both domestic and international service providers in Vietnam.
The decree is implemented amidst a backdrop of increasingly stringent online content regulation under the premise of securing national stability and societal order. Numerous activists have voiced apprehensions that these measures will be leveraged to quash divergent opinions, spotlighting the potential uptick in surveillance and censorship activities.
Human rights groups have persistently called for the repeal of such laws, arguing they erode access to information and curb free expression in the region. In an era of amplified global scrutiny over digital rights, Vietnam’s latest decree underscores the delicate balance between state oversight and individual liberties.