Vietnam accuses Facebook of violating new cybersecurity law
- The controversial law, which came into effect on January 1, requires internet companies to remove ‘toxic content’ and hand over user data
Facebook was defending itself on Wednesday against allegations that it allows illegal content in violation of Vietnam’s new cybersecurity law.
The social media giant said it had restricted such content and is in discussions with the government. “We have a clear process for governments to report illegal content to us, and we review all those requests against our terms of service and local law,” it said in a statement. “We are transparent about the content restrictions we make in accordance with local law.”
The comments came in response to Vietnamese state media reports that the Ministry of Information and Communication had complained about Facebook allowing users to upload slanderous content and anti-government comments.
This would be in violation of a controversial new law, which came into effect on January 1, that requires internet companies to remove “toxic content” and hand over user data when requested to do so by the authorities.
It also states that service providers such as Google and Facebook operating in the one-party state should store user data locally, which has sparked fears of data and privacy breaches and cybersecurity threats.
Facebook has found itself caught between such local requirements that restrict political dissent and its identity as a US company that says it strives to give “free expression maximum possible range.”