Ministry proposes turning off internet for online violators

The proposal was made in a draft for a decree on the provision and management of Internet services and online information recently announced by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

The ministry said it was proposing that internet service providers suspend the service for “organizations and individuals who commit violations online, especially through using livestream services on social media.”

Telecoms firms, web storage and data centers would be responsible for refusing or suspending telecom and Internet services, upon the information ministry’s request, for those who post information with violations online.

The draft also includes items regarding the management of users and information online, such as requiring social media users to verify their accounts by using Vietnamese phone numbers or requiring social media platforms to suspend violating accounts, pages and groups either temporarily or permanently.

To protect social media users, the information ministry proposes regulations that require platforms to make their content distribution processes public and to include policies to protect children. Another proposal is to allow livestreams only to those with authorities’ approval.

In the first half of this year, Facebook removed 484 fan pages that advertise gambling games; 72 accounts advertising weapons and explosives; as well as 2,444 links that offer illegal services, according to the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information.