The government has issued Decree 147/2024 on managing, providing and using the internet and information on the internet. The legal document covers institutions and individuals in Vietnam, and foreign institutions and individuals who directly participate in, or get involved in the management, provision and use of internet services and online information.

Decree 147 includes many new regulations, including on the management of cross-border information provision, authentication of Internet user accounts, information monitoring, and the prevention and removal of illegal online information.

The decree that takes effect next month stipulates that only the owners of authenticated accounts can post information (articles, comments and livestreams) and share information on social networks.

The decree has caught the special attention of the internet users in Vietnam.

Vu Ngoc Son, NCS Technology Director, said Decree 147 will help heighten personal awareness of Internet users, reduce false information and play an important role in protecting the community and ensuring social order.

He explained that when accounts are linked to authenticated information, users will have to be more cautious in sharing and commenting, because they have to be responsible before the law and the community for what they publish online.

“The requirement on account authentication will also help eliminate anonymous or forged accounts, which could be the origin of misinformation, fake news and toxic content. Users have to heighten their awareness of the possible consequences they may cause when sharing inaccurate and unverified information, thus helping create a healthier cyberspace,” Son said.

As for community and social order protection, Son thinks the required account authentication not only can protect individuals but also help management agencies in preventing and dealing with violations online.

This has special significance in the case of toxic content (violence, incitement, fraud or the content that infringes on the legitimate interests of other individuals or organizations).

As an internet service provider, Mai Thi Thanh Oanh, deputy CEO of Coc Coc, said Decree 147 will affect the managing, providing and using of internet services and online information.

She said the new regulation will increase transparency, and limit false and fake information, helping to prevent online fraud. Social network users will have to take more responsibility when posting and share content, thus creating a safer online community.

However, she warned that many users may feel inconvenient when having to have personal information authenticated, which may lead to the decrease in number of users, or restrict the behaviors of making comments and sharing information.

Le My