.webp)
Vietnamese residents will have to verify their real identity starting tomorrow, December 25, before being allowed to use social media platforms. Through Decree 147 under Vietnam's cybersecurity bill, identity verification is done via phone number, or national identification card. Social media platform owners will store the real identity of users and their date of birth.
If the government finds content that is deemed to violate the law, operators must remove it within 24 hours. The identity of the user who uploaded the content must then be handed over to the authorities for action. This directive is not only mandatory for Vietnamese citizens but also for all residents using services in the country.
Decree 147 is seen as the government's attempt to suppress the right to freedom of speech, especially in criticizing policies that are seen as unfair. The country has already imprisoned and detained several YouTube channel owners and bloggers for violating the country's laws.
In addition to restricting freedom of speech, Decree 147 will also require video game operators to limit continuous gaming sessions to one hour for underage users. The daily gaming limit is set at 3 hours. This measure is similar to that taken in China to prevent early addiction among underage users.