Vietnam’s Internet Crackdown: Decree 147 Tightens Government Control
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Hanoi, Vietnam – A sweeping new internet law in Vietnam, officially implemented on December 25th, 2024, has sparked international concern over its potential to stifle free speech and online dissent.Decree 147 grants the Vietnamese government considerably expanded powers to regulate internet access and content, ostensibly in the name of national security and social order.
The decree’s provisions demand that tech companies operating in Vietnam store user data and readily provide it to authorities upon request. This includes major social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok. Furthermore, companies are required to swiftly remove content deemed “illegal” by the government within a 24-hour timeframe.
Concerns Over Free Expression
Critics argue that Decree 147 represents a significant escalation in the government’s efforts to control data and suppress dissenting voices. Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch (HRW), notes, “Because Vietnamese police consider any criticism of the Vietnamese Communist Party a matter of national security, this decree will give the government another tool to suppress dissent.”
The new regulations extend beyond content removal. They mandate user account verification through phone numbers or national identification numbers, requiring companies to maintain extensive user data records. The decree also compels companies to provide government authorities with content search and scanning tools. Live video streaming, for example, is now restricted to verified accounts only.
Impact on Individuals and Businesses
The implications of Decree 147 extend beyond political activism. The tightened internet controls are expected to significantly impact individuals who rely on social media for income, such as influencers and online creators. Even the gaming industry is affected, with new limitations on playtime imposed on game publishers and applications.
Activist Dang thi Hue, a Facebook user with 28,000 followers, voiced her concerns, stating, “Decree 147 is being used openly to suppress those who hold different views” from the government. Echoing these sentiments, former political prisoner Le Anh Hung described the decree as “the latest sign of violations of basic freedoms… with blurred lines between what is legal and what is not.” He added, “No one wants to go to prison, so of course some activists will be more cautious and afraid of this decree.”
The recent 12-year prison sentence handed down to autonomous Vietnamese blogger Duong Van Thai in October 2024, on charges of anti-state propaganda, serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of expressing dissenting opinions in Vietnam.
The situation in Vietnam highlights the ongoing global debate surrounding internet freedom and government regulation. The implications of Decree 147 raise questions about the balance between national security and fundamental human rights, a discussion relevant to nations worldwide.
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[Gambas:Video 20detik] embed. The video URL and image URLs are crucial for completing this article. Also, ensure the chosen keywords are relevant to the actual news event. vietnam’s Online Crackdown: How decree 147 Silences Dissent and Impacts Everyday Life
Hanoi, Vietnam – A wave of concern is sweeping through Vietnam’s digital landscape as Decree 147, a sweeping new internet law, takes effect. Officially implemented on December 25th, 2024, this decree has granted the Vietnamese government unprecedented powers to regulate online content and access, raising alarm bells about its potential to stifle free expression and privacy.
Decrypting Decree 147: A Tool for Control?
Under the guise of national security and social order,Decree 147 empowers authorities to demand user data from technology companies operating within Vietnam.This includes global giants like Facebook and TikTok, wich are now obligated to provide user information upon request and swiftly remove content deemed “illegal” by the government – a broad definition open to interpretation.
Furthermore, the decree mandates user account verification through phone numbers or national identification numbers, forcing companies to maintain extensive user databases, further blurring the lines of privacy. The decree also compels companies to provide authorities wiht content search and scanning tools, effectively granting them unprecedented surveillance capabilities.
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World-Today-News.com: Dr.Nguyen Van Minh,you are a leading expert on Vietnamese politics and technology. Can you help our readers understand the potential ramifications of Decree 147?
Dr. Nguyen Van Minh: Decree 147 is a concerning escalation in the Vietnamese government’s pursuit of online control. While presented under the banner of national security, its provisions allow for broad censorship and surveillance, effectively silencing dissenting voices and chilling online discourse.
World-Today-News.com: Are there any specific examples that illustrate the decree’s impact?
Dr. Nguyen Van Minh: Absolutely. Take the case of Dang Thi Hue, a popular Facebook blogger with thousands of followers. She has expressed concerns that Decree 147 will be used to target individuals who voice opinions critical of the government. This fear is not unfounded. We’ve already seen the conviction of Duong Van Thai, an self-reliant blogger, sentenced to 12 years in prison for simply expressing his views online.
World-Today-News.com: How do you see this decree affecting everyday life for Vietnamese citizens?
dr. Nguyen Van Minh: The implications extend far beyond political activism. Many Vietnamese rely on social media for income generation, be it through online businesses or content creation. The restrictions on content and user data collection create a climate of uncertainty and self-censorship, potentially undermining the livelihoods of many.
World-Today-News.com: What does this mean for the future of internet freedom in Vietnam and beyond?
Dr.Nguyen Van Minh: Decree 147 sets a perilous precedent. It demonstrates a willingness to prioritize control over online expression, even at the expense of individual rights and freedoms. It is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle to balance national security concerns with the fundamental right to access information and express oneself freely in the digital age.
World-Today-News.com: Dr. Nguyen Van Minh, thank you for sharing your valuable insights.
dr. Nguyen Van Minh: It was my pleasure.
