In Vietnam, a draconian new law to control the Internet and its users came into force on New Year’s Day. It obliges Internet companies to delete any content that, in the Government’s opinion, runs counter to the interests of the state. Companies like Google and Facebook are required to divulge data from users when requested by the government.
New rules prohibit all statements and activities on the Internet that are directed against the state or government, that distort Vietnam’s history or that cause „confusion“ in society and „harm socio-economic activities“. According to the State Security Ministry in Hanoi, the law is directed against „hostile and reactionary forces“ that incite violence and turmoil over the Internet.
Facebook wants to bow to rules
The law requires Internet companies like Google and Facebook to set up offices in Vietnam within twelve months. Facebook announced in response to the new law to ensure the safety of its users. Contents would be removed if they contradict the standards of Facebook, the company told AFP. He pointed out that there are internal guidelines on how to deal with calls from government.
The human rights organization Human Rights Watch criticized the law. It allowed the Vietnamese State Security Ministry to further expand its „comprehensive control of critics“ and deepen the power monopoly of the Communist Party. The Journalists Association Reporters Without Borders sees the law as a „totalitarian model of information control“. There were also protests in advance from the US and the EU.
