Vietnam Says Facebook Is Acting Illegally

Vietnam has accused Facebook of violating a new cybersecurity law by refusing to scrub anti-government content from its site, the first reprimand since the controversial bill came into effect days ago. 

The law, which went live January 1 and has drawn criticism from the US, the EU and web freedom groups, requires internet companies to remove “toxic content” and hand over user data when requested by authorities.

It also stipulates that companies should host servers in the one-party state, including banks and e-commerce companies, sparking fears of data and privacy breaches and cybersecurity threats.

State broadcaster Vietnam Television reported Wednesday 9th January that Facebook failed to take down pages allegedly calling for anti-government activities, citing requests from the Ministry of Information and Communications.
The ministry sent several letters and emails requesting the removals, according to the report.

But Facebook “delayed and even failed to remove information, claiming the information did not violate community standards,” VTV reported.

Vietnam also accused the company of hosting advertisements for “illegal products” including counterfeit money, fake goods, weapons and firecrackers, the report added. The consequences for violating the law are expected to be laid out in a decree which has yet to be made public.

Vietnam has said the bill is designed to improve cybersecurity in the country, but critics say the legislation, which mirrors China’s draconian internet rules, is aimed at silencing online dissent. In a statement to AFP Wednesday, Facebook said it is “transparent about the content restrictions we make pursuant with local law in our Transparency Report.”

“We have a clear process for governments to report illegal content to us, and we review all these requests against our terms of service and local law,” a spokeswoman told AFP.

Social media is a crucial platform for activists in communist Vietnam, where all independent press and public protests are banned. Facebook is by far the most popular tool for activists, though several have complained to AFP in recent months that posts have disappeared and accounts been blocked. 

Unlike in China, social media and instant messaging services like WhatsApp are not banned, and analysts say the cybersecurity law is a means to control online expression without banning services, a move that would likely cause widespread outcry.

There are more than 53 million Facebook users in Vietnam, over half of the population, many of whom use the site as a crucial platform for business and commerce. 

NST

You Might Also Read:

Great Wall: China Bans Foreign Online Publishing:

« The Impact Of Tech Disruption On Jobs
Zimbabwe Orders Internet Disconnected »

Infosecurity Europe
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

CSI Consulting Services

CSI Consulting Services

Get Advice From The Experts: * Training * Penetration Testing * Data Governance * GDPR Compliance. Connecting you to the best in the business.

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

ManageEngine

ManageEngine

As the IT management division of Zoho Corporation, ManageEngine prioritizes flexible solutions that work for all businesses, regardless of size or budget.

Clayden Law

Clayden Law

Clayden Law advise global businesses that buy and sell technology products and services. We are experts in information technology, data privacy and cybersecurity law.

Hogan Lovells

Hogan Lovells

Hogan Lovells is an international business law firm with offices across Europe, Asia and the USA. Practice areas include Privacy & Cybersecurity.

Arsenal Recon

Arsenal Recon

Arsenal Recon are digital forensics experts, providing consultancy services and powerful software tools to improve the analysis of electronic evidence.

Tenfold Software

Tenfold Software

Tenfold is the unique, centralized platform for managing user and permissions efficiently and automatically.

AVORD

AVORD

AVORD is a cloud-based security testing platform that allows clients to manage security testing requirements in a far more productive and efficient way.

IoT Security Institute (IoTSI)

IoT Security Institute (IoTSI)

IoT Security Institute is an academic and industry body dedicated to providing frameworks and supporting educational services to assist in managing security within an Internet of Things eco-system.

Munich Re

Munich Re

Munich Re is a leading global provider of reinsurance, primary insurance and insurance-related risk solutions including Cyber.

Wayra

Wayra

Wayra connects Telefónica and technological disruptors around the world. As their preferred strategic partner, we scale them up to accelerate their business and ours.

Stronghold Cyber Security

Stronghold Cyber Security

Stronghold Cyber Security is a consulting company that specializes in NIST 800, the Cybersecurity Framework and the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification.

Cyber7

Cyber7

CYBER7 is a National Cyber Security Innovation community initiated by Israel National Cyber Directorate, Ministry of Economy and Israel Innovation Authority led by Tech7 – Venture Studio.

BlastWave

BlastWave

BlastWave deliver Operational Technology Cybersecurity solutions that minimize the available attack surface and protect against the rising tide of AI-powered cyber attacks.

PagerDuty

PagerDuty

PagerDuty is the central nervous system for a company’s digital operations. We identify issues in real-time and bring together the right people to respond to problems faster.

Onum

Onum

Onum helps security and IT leaders focus on the data that's most important. Gain control of your data by cutting through the noise for deep insights in real time.

Getvisibility

Getvisibility

Getvisibility enables customers to detect, classify and protect sensitive information increasing data security, governance, compliance and lowering the risk of losing valuable data.

BuddoBot

BuddoBot

BuddoBot has been a pioneering force in cybersecurity and information technology since 2008.

ArmorX AI

ArmorX AI

ArmorX AI (formerly Kapalya) operates an encryption management platform designed to encrypt all data in transit and at rest on mobile end-points, corporate servers, and cloud servers.

IntelliBridge

IntelliBridge

IntelliBridge supports our nation’s most critical missions by solving complex technology, intelligence, and mission support challenges.