Vietnam's Social Media Policy Threatens Anonymity
Vietnam is going to have a new rule by January 2024. The rule means users of social media must confirm who they are. They have to do this before using any online platform.
The Deputy Minister of Information and Communications in Vietnam, Nguyen Thanh Lam, said that they will take action against unverified accounts both on local and foreign social media platforms including Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
This action clearly breaks the rules of free speech and privacy.
New law needs social media users to give personal information like their name, ID numbers, and photos to confirm their accounts on all websites. The Vietnamese government thinks this law is important to stop fake news, hate speech, and other illegal things on the internet.
Social media sites in Vietnam must verify users' identities and could be penalized if they fail to do so.
Vietnam's new rule attacks anonymity and privacy. These are important for a free society. People use anonymity to talk about politics, speak up, and protect themselves. It helps them talk freely without punishment.
The reason for the Vietnamese government's new rule is to safeguard national security and maintain public order. The rule needs users to reveal their genuine identities. Sadly, this process suppresses voices that oppose their interests. It can stifle free expression and obstruct the movement of information on the internet.
The new regulation can lead to government surveillance. It might allow them to abuse and target users. They can monitor users and track them using personal information. As a result, users' ability to speak against the government might be limited.
Making users verify their accounts could decrease the variety of opinions on social media platforms. People who can't or don't want to verify might stop using the platforms, and their views won't be heard. This would harm public discussions and make it harder for marginalized groups to speak out.
The issue of attacking freedom of expression is a worldwide problem. Vietnam isn't the only country that makes anonymous and private laws to protect national security.
China has a similar policy to the new social media policy in place. China is a communist state with one-party rule. However, China's policy is stricter. People in China can't use most global platforms. They have to use government-controlled domestic platforms.
People are talking about making social media ID verification mandatory. Not only in countries like Vietnam and China, but worldwide.
The British government is making a new law called the Online Safety Bill. It wants to change how we regulate online stuff and make people prove their age for social media. The European Union made a law too, called the Digital Services Act. It also has rules about proving your ID.
Being anonymous means people can speak their mind without consequences. This is crucial for those in oppressive societies or who experience discrimination. For some, being anonymous is the only way to connect with similar people without danger.
People in a free society should have the choice.
It's vital for a free society to let social media platforms work without government surveillance. The regulation can make social media tools for oppression instead of free expression.
Make sure to look at the content below if you want to find out more about related topics.
Social media: Tower of Babel?
Section 230 is crucial for online free speech. It protects websites from being held liable for user-generated content. Without this law, websites could be sued for any post or comment made by their users. This would severely limit what people can say online. It would also make it difficult for smaller websites to operate because they would have to moderate every post or risk being sued. Section 230 allows websites to moderate content without fear of being held liable. This means they can allow users to express themselves without fear of censorship. It's important to preserve Section 230 to protect the internet as a forum for free expression.
Uganda has a new law called the Misuse of Social Media Act. The act restricts freedom of expression on social media platforms. The law criminalizes the use of social media to express opinions on politics and government. Those who break the law can face up to five years in prison. Human rights groups have criticized the law, saying it is a threat to freedom of expression. Others argue that the law is necessary to prevent fake news and hate speech on social media. The impact of the Misuse of Social Media Act on freedom of expression in Uganda remains to be seen.
TikTok is causing an issue about privacy versus freedom of choice. People are worried about what the app does with their data. However, others argue that people should be allowed to choose what they share. TikTok collects data on what people watch and how they interact with the app. This data helps the app suggest content that people would be interested in. Some people are concerned that this data is being shared with the Chinese government. Others say that the app is transparent about what data it collects. This debate is ongoing, and people are divided on the issue.
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