By Adeyemi Adekunle
On Wednesday, Vietnam enacted a controversial internet regulation, known as “Decree 147,” which mandates social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, to verify user identities and share data with authorities upon request. The law, which critics view as an attack on freedom of expression, is the latest effort by the Vietnamese government to tighten control over the online space in one of Southeast Asia’s most digitally connected nations.
The decree requires all social media platforms operating in Vietnam to verify users’ accounts using phone numbers or official identification documents.
Verified data, including full names and dates of birth, must be stored and made available to authorities upon request. Additionally, the decree mandates the removal of any content deemed “illegal” by the government within 24 hours of notice.
State media outlet VNExpress reported that platforms had been given 90 days to submit data on the number of regular visits and users in Vietnam, signifying a comprehensive push for tighter regulation. Critics, however, argue that the law infringes on fundamental freedoms and provides authorities with broad, unchecked powers.
Activist Dang Thi Hue, whose Facebook account has a significant following of 28,000 users, expressed deep concern about the implications of Decree 147. “This decree will be used to publicly suppress those with different viewpoints,” Hue said.
Former political prisoner Le Anh Hung echoed these fears, describing the decree as a tool to stifle dissent and intimidate activists. “No one wants to go to jail. So, of course, some activists will be more cautious and afraid of this decree,” Hung remarked.
The government’s swift response to online dissent is not new. Vietnam’s hardline administration has a history of cracking down on critics, especially those who gain traction on social media. In October, blogger Duong Van Thai, a prominent voice with nearly 120,000 YouTube followers, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for publishing anti-state content.
The decree also builds on Vietnam’s 2018 cybersecurity law, which faced global criticism for its restrictive measures. Rights advocates, including the United States and the European Union, had warned that the law mimicked China’s draconian internet censorship. Decree 147 appears to intensify these measures, raising concerns about the erosion of privacy and freedom in Vietnam’s digital space.
In addition to social media regulation, the decree addresses Vietnam’s rapidly growing gaming industry, introducing measures to curb addiction among minors. Game publishers are required to enforce strict time limits, restricting gaming sessions to one hour and capping daily playtime at 180 minutes for under-18 players.
Vietnam, home to a booming digital economy, has seen significant growth in online gaming and social commerce. Data from Newzoo, a market research firm, indicates that more than half of the country’s 100 million people regularly engage in gaming.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information and Communications estimates 65 million Facebook users, 60 million YouTube users, and 20 million TikTok users in the country, illustrating the pervasive role of social media in Vietnamese society.
The implementation of Decree 147 has left many questioning its practical enforcement. In a small gaming café in Hanoi, business appeared unaffected as young players remained engrossed in their screens. “I don’t know anything about a time limit for the games,” said a 15-year-old boy who had skipped school to play. “I just keep playing, and as you see, it still works.”
The café owner, who charges approximately 30 cents per hour of gaming, expressed a similar indifference. “I have no idea what this decree is about. I don’t know if it will work or not,” he said. “My business is still going normally. They pay, and we let them use the desktop for their gaming. It’s simple.”
The decree also targets Vietnam’s thriving social commerce landscape, where live streaming plays a significant role. By limiting live streaming to verified accounts, the new regulation could disrupt the livelihoods of many individuals and small businesses who rely on platforms like TikTok for income.
Critics of Decree 147 argue that its vague definitions of “illegal” content and its sweeping data collection requirements create a chilling effect on free expression. Activists fear that users will self-censor to avoid falling afoul of the law, further narrowing the space for open dialogue and dissent.
Vietnam’s internet laws reflect a broader global trend of governments seeking greater control over digital platforms. However, the extent of Decree 147’s provisions has alarmed rights groups, who warn of its potential to suppress dissent and violate privacy.
As Vietnam continues its push for tighter online regulation, the international community will likely monitor its impact on human rights and digital freedoms.
While the government frames Decree 147 as a necessary measure for national security and combating misinformation, its critics see it as a dangerous precedent in a country where dissenting voices are often silenced.
