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Vietnam wants to try to prevent online scams by requiring social media users to verify their identities.
The government wants to ban anonymous social media accounts on platforms like Facebook
The rules will apply to both local and foreign social media platforms, but it’s unclear how they will be enforced.
This is the latest update to restrictions on social media in Vietnam. Last year, platforms had to remove fake news within 24 hours instead of 48.
In 2022, there were new laws that required tech companies to store users’ data locally.
Human Rights Watch, a human rights NGO, is concerned about the new rules. The group says the rules could be bad for freedom of expression and privacy rights.
The new rules are called the Telecommunications Law Amendment. These changes are expected by the end of 2023, but the exact details of the changes are not clear yet.
Not all service providers in Vietnam currently offer identity verification, but both people and organizations will have to comply with the new rules.
Nguyen Thanh Lam, from the Ministry of Information, says that the government can identify people who break the law on social media. However, it is difficult for the ministry to find these people because they use applications that work across different countries.
According to the 2023 World Press Freedom rankings, Vietnam ranked 178 out of 180, slightly higher than North Korea and China.
Vocabulary
Prevent – to stop; to keep from happening; to put an end to
Scam – a dishonest or illegal plan or activity, usually to take someone’s money;
Require – make necessary; to order or demand something
Social media – Websites and apps that allow people to communicate and share information online (Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, etc.)
User – a person who uses something
Verify – Confirm, prove, or show that something is true or accurate
Identity – who someone is; the name of a person;
Ban – to not allow; to stop; to forbid; prohibit;
Autonomous – Can operate without being controlled directly by humans; something that functions separately or independently
Account – a user’s profile/page on social media or internet service; something used to access and participate in social media
Platform – an online business that provides a service or connects people and businesses
The rule applies to – The rule is relevant or is meant for a particular situation or group of people
Local – related to or connected to a specific/particular place; existing in or belonging to the area that you are talking about.
Enforce – To make sure that a rule or law is followed and respected
Latest – newest; most recent;
Restriction – an official rule that limits what you can do; regulation; limitation
Remove – to take out; to take away from; take off; to stop; to eliminate
Law – a rule, regulation, or guideline set by the government
Tech company (technology) – a company that makes new technology or software; a company with digital services or products
Store – to keep; to hold; stow
Human rights – Basic rights and freedoms that every person is entitled to or should have; standards or rules that try to protect the dignity of all human beings
NGO – “Non-Governmental Organization”, an organization that operates independently of government and has social or humanitarian goals; an organization that doesn’t earn money and isn’t connected to a government
Concerned – worried; anxious; troubled; bothered
Freedom of expression – The right to express one’s thoughts, ideas, and opinions freely without censorship or punishment; allowed to think and speak freely and openly without trouble from the government
Privacy – the right/freedom to keep your personal life or personal information secret or safe
Right – the fact that a person or animal can expect to be treated in a fair, morally acceptable, or legal way, or to have the things that are necessary for life;
Expect – to think something will happen; forecast; predict; suppose
Service provider – A company that offers a service to users or customers (Google is an email service provider)
Comply with a rule – Follow or obey a rule; to understand and accept a rule; to do what a rule says
Ministry – a department of a government (education ministry, health ministry, foreign ministry, etc.)
Break the law – to do something that is illegal or not allowed; Violate or fail to comply with a law or regulation; not follow a law
According to – as ‘someone’ said; as stated by ‘someone’; in the opinion of ‘someone’
Quiz
Discussion Questions
- What are your thoughts on Vietnam’s decision to require social media users to verify their identities? Do you think it will help prevent online scams?
- Should social media platforms be responsible for removing fake news within a certain time-frame? Why or why not?
- How important is it for tech companies to store users’ data locally, in the country? Do you think it enhances data privacy or poses risks?
- Do you think it will be hard for Vietnam to enforce the new rules? What are some difficulties it might have?
Original Story
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