Vietnam has announced new internet regulations effective December 25, 2023, requiring social media users on platforms like Facebook and TikTok to verify their identities. This move has elicited sharp criticism as it is seen as yet another avenue for the Vietnamese government to stifle free speech and dissent.
The government’s new law mandates tech companies to store user data and provide it to authorities upon request. It also compels these companies to quickly remove any content deemed "illegal"—a broad term often interpreted to suppress dissenting voices. "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.
Supporters of the law argue it is necessary to maintain social order, national security, and national sovereignty online. Le Quang Tu Do from the Ministry of Information and Communications indicated the law aims to regulate behavior within the country’s cyberspace.
Previously, Vietnam's internet laws had already garnered backlash for resembling China’s repressive tactics. Critics claim these laws create an environment ripe for self-censorship. Blog author and rights activist Nguyen Hoang Vi noted, "Many people work quietly but effectively in advancing the universal values of human rights,” warning the decree could discourage public dissent.
Under Decree 147, all social media users are obliged to verify their accounts using either phone numbers or Vietnamese identification numbers, which will then be stored alongside their personal information. Access to features such as livestreaming will be limited to verified accounts. Non-compliance can have serious consequences not only for individuals but also for tech companies operating in Vietnam.
The decree will also impose restrictions on gaming, particularly aimed at under-18s, to curb addiction—an effort welcomed by some but seen as another form of overreach by the government.
Sociologist Nguyen Minh Hieu, 17, expressed concern about the impending gaming restrictions, stating, "The new restrictions would be really tough" for students like him who find it difficult to limit their gaming activities. According to data from research firm Newzoo, more than half of Vietnam’s population of around 100 million are avid gamers.
While the government insists these measures are about protecting youth and upholding national security, activists argue they encroach upon personal freedoms and the right to express one's views online. With over 65 million users on Facebook alone, the potential for impact is immense.
The new law marks yet another step toward increased government control over internet expression and poses serious threats to online human rights. The effect of such policies could hinder Vietnam’s democratic development, increasingly isoliting the nation from global discourse.
Human Rights Watch has called for the repeal of this "draconian" law, underscoring its view of the measure as merely enabling the government to clamp down on free speech. With noted regular efforts by authorities to silence dissent, this new decree effectively legitimizes pre-existing methods of repression employed by the regime.
This regulation’s implementation will likely draw international scrutiny as it echoes patterns of censorship observed elsewhere, raising alarms about the repression of information and curtailing freedoms. Whether this law will promote the government's agenda or provoke widespread backlash among its citizens remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the stakes for internet freedom and human rights are incredibly high.
