Vietnam to Require Social Media Users to Verify Identity

Vietnam is going to introduce a new requirement for social media users, both domestic and foreign, to verify their identity in a bid to tackle online scams. The measure is part of the Telecommunications Law Amendment, which is expected to be issued by the end of this year. This amendment will enable law enforcement agencies to track down and hold accountable those who violate the law using social media. The move comes in response to the increasing difficulty in identifying social media account holders who commit crimes through cross-border applications.

The new regulation will apply to both individual and organizational users. However, not all social media platforms currently offer identity verification in Vietnam. The implementation of this measure will require approval from the country’s lawmakers, and the details have not revealed yet.

Vietnam has been tightening its grip on social media in recent years, including passing a cybersecurity law that targets foreign social media platforms to combat disinformation in the news. The law also requires foreign tech companies to establish representative offices in Vietnam and store data in the country.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Nguyen Thanh Lam, explained the rationale behind the new regulation, stating that there are times when authorities can identify social media account holders who violate the laws, but they cannot track them down because the criminals use cross-border applications.

The measure expects to help law enforcement agencies effectively track down and prosecute criminals who use social media to commit illegal activities. By requiring users to verify their identity, law enforcement agencies will better equip them to investigate and prevent online scams and other criminal activities.

In conclusion, Vietnam’s new measure to require social media users to verify their identity is a significant step towards ensuring a safer and more secure online environment. While the regulation is still awaiting approval from lawmakers, the move highlights the country’s continued efforts to tackle disinformation and online scams while also holding offenders accountable for their actions.