Internet censorship in Vietnam

The Vietnamese government already has many laws that regulate the internet, so critics are comparing this new law to The Great Firewall of China. Sexually explicit, violent and politically sensitive content are all regulated in Vietnam. The law on Information Technology allows the government to punish any domestic or foreign individuals (living or visiting Vietnam) who create any content opposing the state. Such ‘criminals’ can be fined or imprisoned, making online privacy essential if you want to live or travel there.

In 2010, the government also ordered all organizations that offer free Wi-Fi to install tracking software. In 2013, any distribution of materials that would harm national security or oppose the government was also banned. Social media and blogging platforms were the only place left for people to exchange their ‘personal information.’ However, three years later, two major blogging platforms – Blogger and WordPress – were also blocked. Year after year, online censorship in Vietnam is getting worse.

The implications of the new bill

The new law, according to the Vietnamese government, is aimed at increasing cybersecurity and attracting even more investors. However, it will be done in a rather peculiar way. The government will track the content posted on social media (or other platforms) and will ask organizations to remove ‘state-offensive content’ within 24 hours. The government will also ask organizations that have more than 10,000 Vietnamese users to establish local offices in Vietnam and host local servers there.

Carriers keep selling your location

Unlike China, the Vietnamese government doesn’t intend to block any major social media websites. However, tech giants like Facebook and Google still opposed the new law. They are concerned that it will allow the government to more easily access users’ data and arrest local employees. The affected companies will have another 12 months to move their data centers to Vietnam (days after the bill took effect, Vietnam accused Facebook of violating the law and allowing its users to post anti-state messages.)

People living in or visiting the country should be more concerned than ever about their online privacy. If not, they will certainly need to think twice before sharing anything on social media or expressing their opinion about Vietnam online. The country has a track record of bloggers and activists who were sentenced because of their social or political views.