Vietnam Tightens Grip on Internet with Sweeping New Regulations

The countdown to stricter internet regulations in Vietnam is nearly over.

Starting Christmas Day, social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok will be required to verify users’ identities. This landmark law, known as Decree 147, has sparked strong criticism, with many experts calling it a further blow to freedom of expression in the communist nation.

Enhanced Government Control

The decree grants the Vietnamese government unprecedented power over online content and user data. Tech giants operating in Vietnam will be obligated to:

• Store user data, including phone numbers and identification information, within the country.
• Provide this data to authorities upon request.
• Remove content deemed “illegal” by the government within 24 hours.

Decree 147 builds upon a 2018 cybersecurity law that already faced heavy criticism from international bodies and human rights groups for resembling China’s tight internet control.

Crackdown on Dissent

Vietnam’s government has consistently taken swift action against criticism and dissent, particularly from individuals active on social media.

Examples include the 12-year imprisonment of blogger Duong Van Thai in October for voicing government criticism on YouTube and the arrest of independent journalist Huy Duc for his blog posts highlighting issues such as media censorship and corruption.

Critics worry that Decree 147 will expose anonymous online dissenters to increased risk of arrest and create a chilling effect on free speech.

“Many people work quietly but effectively in advancing the universal values of human rights,” Ho Chi Minh City-based blogger and rights activist Nguyen Hoang Vi told AFP. “This decree may encourage self-censorship, where people avoid expressing dissenting views to protect their safety – ultimately harming the overall development of democratic values in the country.”

Impact on Social Commerce and Gaming

The decree also targets social commerce and gaming, with implications for a large portion of the Vietnamese population.

Only verified accounts will be allowed to livestream on platforms like TikTok, disrupting the livelihoods of many who depend on this avenue for income.

Additionally, gaming for under-18s will be strictly regulated, with a one-hour per session time limit and a maximum of 3 hours a day.

“These restrictions will be really tough to follow,” Nguyen Minh Hieu, a 17-year-old gamer, said. “Games are designed to be addictive. We often spend hours and hours playing.”

International Concerns

Human Rights Watch has condemned Decree 147 as “draconian,” warning that it will severely restrict access to information and freedom of expression.

“Vietnam’s new Decree 147 and its other cybersecurity laws neither protect the public from any genuine security concerns nor respect fundamental human rights,” said Patricia Gossman, Associate Asia Director at Human Rights Watch.

She added, “Because the Vietnamese police treat any criticism of the Communist Party of Vietnam as a national security matter, this decree will provide them with yet another tool to suppress dissent.”

Will Vietnam Rethink Its Approach?

The implementation of Decree 147 marks a significant step in Vietnam’s tightening grip on the internet. The international community is watching closely, urging the Vietnamese government to reconsider its approach and prioritize freedom of expression online.

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