Vietnam's Social Media Policy: Assault On Anonymity

Starting in January 2024, all Vietnam social media users have to confirm their identities when using online platforms.

Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Nguyen Thanh Lam, said that unverified accounts will be taken care of. This includes accounts on local and foreign platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

The act is a clear breach of freedom of speech and personal privacy.

New law in Vietnam mandates social media users to disclose personal details like real names, ID numbers, and photos for account verification, even on global platforms. Law justified to suppress fake news, hate speech, and unlawful online conduct.

In Vietnam, social media sites must verify who their users are. If they don't follow the rules, they might be punished.

The new rule in Vietnam is not good. It attacks anonymity and privacy. This is important for people in a free society. Anonymity helps people who speak out against the government. It also helps people who are worried about punishment for their words. Anonymity lets people speak without fear of getting in trouble.

Vietnam wants people to use their real identities to protect national security and public order. But this can limit free speech that doesn't match the government's views. It could make people less likely to speak freely online. And it could also slow down the spread of information.

The new rule lets the government keep an eye on people. They can watch and follow what people do and say. This can make it harder for people to speak up against the government. The government can use people's personal details to do this. This might lead to people being targeted or treated badly because of who they are.

Making users verify their accounts could limit the different opinions on social media. People who don't want to verify their accounts may not use social media. This means people won't hear their perspectives. This is bad because the public debate won't be as good and marginalized groups won't be able to speak up.

Freedom of expression is under attack and it's not just happening in Vietnam. Other countries are also limiting anonymity and privacy in the name of national security. It's a global issue.

China has a policy similar to this. China is also a one-party communist state. China's social media policy is more restrictive. People in China cannot access most global platforms. They have to use government-controlled domestic platforms only.

Many countries are discussing mandatory social media ID verification. This is not just a topic for authoritarian countries like Vietnam and China. It's a worldwide conversation.

The British government is making a new Online Safety Bill. This will help control online content. It will make social media accounts have age verification. The Digital Services Act from the European Union also has ID verification rules.

Being anonymous lets people say what they really think without worrying about the consequences. This is really important for those who live in oppressive societies or who are discriminated against. Anonymity might be the only way for some to speak freely and find others who think like them without any danger.

People in a free society need to have this choice.

It's crucial to let social media platforms run without government monitoring for a free society. If the government regulates them, they could turn into tools for oppression instead of free expression.

If you want to learn more about related topics, make sure you take a look at the content below.

Is social media like the ancient Tower of Babel? The Tower of Babel story comes from the Bible. People tried to build a tower to the sky. But they spoke different languages. They couldn't understand each other. God got angry with them. And he made them speak different languages. Nowadays, social media connects people from around the world. But is it causing confusion? People use different languages and slangs on social media. Some people misunderstand each other. There can be miscommunication and confusion. Maybe social media is like the Tower of Babel, but in a modern way.

Section 230 is important for expressing yourself online. Without it, people wouldn't have the freedom to share their thoughts and opinions. Section 230 protects websites from being held responsible for what users post, as long as they don't know it's against the law. If Section 230 was removed, websites might have to review every comment or post before it goes up. This would be impossible to do for big websites like social media platforms. Without Section 230, many websites might not exist or be afraid to let people speak their minds. In short, Section 230 is essential for free speech online.

Uganda's Misuse of Social Media Act endangers free expression. The Act was passed in 2018. Objects like sharing images or messages that the government deems misleading can lead to penalties. The law can prevent citizens from speaking their opinions and expressing themselves. The authorities could punish anyone for simply expressing themselves. This makes people afraid to speak out. As a result, it threatens Uganda's democracy and human rights. The Misuse of Social Media Act should be revised or repealed to safeguard free expression.

The issue with TikTok: choosing privacy or freedom. People are concerned about their personal information. However, TikTok allows users to have fun and express themselves. It's important for users to understand the risks and make an informed decision. Ultimately, it's up to each individual to decide what they value more.

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